HIBAPRESS
The representative of maritime fishing in Laayoune, Mohamed Nafie, said on Wednesday that the port of Laayoune recorded significant quantities of sardine discharges, a week after the resumption of small pelagic fish fishing.
Nafie confirmed that the port of Laayoune witnessed a gradual resumption of sardine fishing, after lifting the ban imposed on small pelagic fish fishing, which was in effect during the period from January 1, 2026 to February 15, according to a decision by the State Secretariat in charge of Maritime Fishing, which aims to preserve the sustainability of these types of fish.
He noted that sardine discharges, starting from the second week of the resumption of fishing, undoubtedly contributed to ensuring the supply of wholesale markets, by increasing supply and stabilizing the price of sardines during the month of Ramadan.
He added that these efforts were accompanied by strengthening the monitoring of fishing activities, thanks to the mobilization of human and logistical resources of the Maritime Fishing Delegation in Laayoune.
He pointed out that this procedure enabled the precise monitoring of trawler fishing vessels through a vessel monitoring system, as well as strengthening the monitoring of landing operations in the basins and in industrial fish processing facilities (CAPI), to ensure compliance with regulations aimed at the sustainability of fish stocks.
He highlighted that during the first day after the resumption of fishing, more than 75 trawler fishing vessels made fishing trips without any catch, noting that the first week of the fishing season witnessed unfavorable weather conditions off the coasts of Laayoune, in addition to the sea temperature that did not exceed 14 degrees Celsius.
February 22nd was the first day of the actual return of fishing, where six coastal fishing boats returned to the port of Laayoune carrying 102 tons of sardines, weighing between 22 and 26 units per kilogram.
This indicator encouraged more than 75 sardine boats to sail the next day. At the end of the day, these boats discharged 1,076 tons of fish, including 614 tons of sardines, weighing between 23 and 30 units per kilogram.
On Tuesday, 106 coastal sardine fishing boats discharged 1,963 tons of small pelagic fish, including 1,817 tons of sardines, at the main port supplying the national market with sardines.
Nafie explained that this increase contributed to supplying the national market with sardines during the blessed month of Ramadan, and also stimulated other sectors of the industry, especially the transport of seafood and the wholesale trade of fish.
The marine district of Laayoune is today a major fishing hub at the national level, as it includes 1,008 traditional fishing boats, 350 coastal fishing vessels, and 52 units for the processing of marine products.
