This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:
HIBAPRESS-RABAT
Ms. Zakia Driouich: the establishment of biological rest is a necessary measure to allow the preservation of small pelagic stocks; especially sardines
This measure, among others, aims to address the effects of climate change having significantly disrupted the distribution and concentration areas of the sensitive phases of these stocks; This measure is introduced, during the low season, following the results of the INRH scientific campaign and in consultation with representatives of the profession. Ms. Driouich: Combating speculation in the price of sardines during this period and protecting the consumer against this type of practice remains essential and involves the responsibility of several stakeholders.
Faced with the effects of climate change on small pelagic fisheries, manifested by an unprecedented increase in temperature and which have strongly disrupted the distribution and concentration zones of the sensitive phases of these stocks (spawning and recruitment), the State Secretariat in charge Since January 1, 2025, the Department of Maritime Fisheries has implemented significant management measures for fisheries on the Atlantic coast. This concerns in particular the establishment of a cessation of activity of the entire fleet targeting sardines south of Agadir, in this case coastal seiners and industrial pelagic fishing vessels.
In a statement made to this effect, Ms. Zakia Driouich, Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, in charge of Maritime Fisheries, underlined that the establishment of this biological rest, which will last two months for the ports of Boujdour and Dakhla compared to a month and a half for the ports of Laayoune, Tarfaya, Sidi Ifni and Agadir, aims objective of improving the biological reproductive capacity and the renewal of the biomass of these stocks.
according to Madam Secretary of State, this biological rest established as part of an adaptive management of the most important national fishery follows the scientific opinion of the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH) which recommends protecting the main phase of sardine reproduction in the Central Atlantic and South Atlantic fisheries.
Furthermore, another equivalent measure concerned the spatiotemporal closure of the spawning area off the coast of Safi. It aims to achieve the same objectives of protecting sardine spawning for the benefit of the sardine fleet which exploits this area, Confirms Madam Secretary of State.
Likewise, with a view to protecting the central zone, which includes two of the most important ports in the kingdom, Laayoune and Tantan, Ms. Driouich indicated that the Ministry has introduced an additional measure to protect the sardine stock, through the closure of An area of concentration of juveniles located between Tantan and Laayoune, identified by INRH and also reported by fishermen, for a period of one year. This measure, which comes in a context of narrowing of the general distribution of the sardine stock and fishing zones in the central zone, will make it possible to reduce the risks of fishing and discards of juveniles, and thus preserve this fringe of the stock with a view to best guarantee favorable conditions for a good fishing season.
Biological rest will make it possible to regenerate the stock of pelagic fish and safeguard the socio-economic impacts of this fishery.
Madam Secretary of State indicated that the Ministry has spared no effort to take immediate measures to preserve the fishery resources relating to this important fishery, in particular the sardine having benefited from a biological rest of 45 days. These measures will allow a regeneration of the stock of small pelagics and the preservation of related socio-economic activities.
It should be noted that the small pelagics fishery, mainly sardines, experienced a decline in its main biological indicators, which impacted the results of the fishing campaign in 2024 with a drop of – 23% for sardines. and 1% for all landings of the five small pelagic species at the national level. However, this drop was offset by a substantial increase in catches of +33% for mackerel, and 50% for horse mackerel and especially 90% for anchovy, which benefited from climatic conditions more favorable to its development, was keen to specify Madam Secretary of State.
Madam Secretary of State specified that this temporary stop, which will end in the central region 15 days before the start of Ramadan, coincides with the low season period for fishing for these species, particularly during the first three months of year January-February-March, which makes it possible to considerably reduce the potential impact of this measure on this sector, from a socio-economic point of view.
Nevertheless, the Secretary of State insists on the need to take appropriate measures to combat speculation on sardines during this period and protect the consumer against this type of practice, she thus warned against the proliferation of points of sale informality, anarchy, illegal mediation. In this context, Madam Secretary of State stressed that the price of sardines in wholesale markets, like many other products, is subject to the logic of supply and demand. It is also affected by multiple factors, notably the cost of production, affecting the activity of fishing vessels.
Likewise, this price must not exceed 17 dhs to 20 dhs at most during this period of biological rest directly impacting the supply, the price of the box at the wholesale market does not exceed 400 dhs, which is equivalent to 17 dhs on Kg. And according to the latest data observed in the markets of the second sale.
It must also be said that over the last two decades the Ministry has strengthened the wholesale market sales network; Today we have 10 wholesale fish markets, 22 fish markets including 18 located in large fishing ports, 14 new generation markets and 47 points of sale at landing points and fishing villages.
The objective of these infrastructures is of course to improve the conditions for marketing and promoting maritime fishing products, to guarantee the supply of local markets with fish and to bring seafood products closer to consumers, with the aim of to increase national consumption.
A measure introduced in consultation with the profession following the scientific opinion of the INRH:
Aware of the importance of involving the profession in decision-making, Madam Secretary of State underlined: “We have involved all the stakeholders of the profession in order to consult together, likewise, this measure will make it possible to ensure the sustainability of this activity and the related investments.”
