HIBAPRESS – Rabat
Zakia Driouch, Secretary of State in charge of Fisheries, confirmed on Tuesday in the House of Councilors that the protection of coral reefs is a fundamental pillar for ensuring the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, given its vital role in maintaining marine and coastal environmental balances.
Driouch explained, in response to an oral question about the protection of coral reefs, that the development of the fisheries sector remains dependent on the preservation of marine ecosystems, pointing out that coral reefs, especially red coral, represent a rare marine treasure of high economic value, and are characterized by their slow renewal, which necessitates the adoption of a cautious approach in their exploitation.
The government official added that Morocco is strongly committed to protecting marine biodiversity and actively participates in international cooperation in this field, as a party to several international agreements and treaties, including the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) agreement signed in 2023, and the Bern Convention for the protection of wildlife and natural habitats, in addition to ratifying the Protocol for the Protection of Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean Sea for the year 1995, which classifies red coral among the protected animal species.
In this context, the Secretary of State highlighted that the government has taken a set of structural measures to regulate the exploitation of coral, including setting the conditions for exploitation under a decree since 2005, and limiting the area of exploitation during the year 2025 to the Cap Spartel-Asilah-Larache area, while setting the maximum quantities allowed to be fished at only 985 kilograms.
She also recalled the closure of the coral exploitation activity in the Al Hoceima region in 2010, noting that the National Institute for Scientific Research is currently assessing the status of coral reefs in this region, with a view to reducing pressure on the Asilah region.
Driouch pointed out that the Secretariat of State has adopted parallel measures to protect coastal ecosystems, including the preparation of fisheries development plans, the establishment of marine reserves, the submergence of artificial reefs in a number of coastal areas, in addition to the development of scientific research programs in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and strengthening monitoring and prevention of marine pollution resulting from fishing activities.
