Casablanca – The latest report from the National Fisheries Office (ONP) reveals a mixed yet promising outlook for Morocco’s fishing sector. During the first four months of 2024, the value of marketed coastal and artisanal fishing products increased by 1%, reaching over $367 million. This growth comes despite an 8% decrease in the total weight of these products, which amounted to 268,668 tonnes compared to the same period in 2023.

The ONP report highlights varied trends among different species. Shellfish landings decreased by 80% to 17 tonnes, crustaceans dropped by 25% to 2,396 tonnes, algae fell by 23% to 4,431 tonnes, and pelagic fish were down by 12% to 201,292 tonnes. Conversely, some species saw significant increases: cephalopod landings increased by 16% to 26,863 tonnes, and white fish rose by 10% to 33,670 tonnes.

The performance of Morocco’s ports also varied. Mediterranean ports saw a total of 5,193 tonnes of coastal and artisanal fishing products landed by the end of April 2024, marking a 14% decrease compared to the previous year. However, the value of these products increased by 6%, reaching approximately $26.65 million. Atlantic ports experienced an 8% decrease in landings, totaling 263,475 tonnes, yet the value of these landings rose by 1%, amounting to over $340 million.

To address the challenges and capitalize on the sector’s potential, Morocco has implemented the “Halieutis” strategy since 2009. This strategy focuses on resource management, ensuring sustainable fishing practices, enhancing market reach, protecting marine biodiversity, and improving infrastructure for landing, sales, and processing. Additionally, Morocco established the National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture in 2011 to further support the sector’s growth.

Morocco is also taking steps to increase domestic fish consumption by improving product quality, expanding supply, and ensuring efficient distribution networks nationwide. These measures aim to meet the growing domestic demand for seafood, driven by consumers seeking high-quality products.

Despite a decline in the total weight of fish landings, the increase in value highlights the strength and economic importance of Morocco’s fishing sector. With strategic initiatives and modernization efforts in place, the sector is poised for continued growth, providing significant employment opportunities and supporting both national and global market demands.