HIBAPRESS – Abdellatif Baraka
The upcoming entry into force of the Cape Town Agreement in February 2027 constitutes a significant turning point in enhancing maritime safety globally, especially after Argentina's accession and the fulfillment of the required legal conditions.
This step comes to fill a long-standing gap in regulating the safety of fishing vessels on the high seas, in a sector that is considered among the most dangerous, where thousands of fishermen lose their lives annually. The agreement imposes strict standards targeting large fishing vessels, including their design, equipment, safety and rescue systems, while granting wider powers to port states to monitor the extent to which foreign vessels respect these rules. It also contributes to protecting the marine environment from pollution resulting from abandoned fishing gear, in addition to enhancing the sector's competitiveness by unifying technical standards. As for Morocco, which is one of the most prominent players in the fisheries sector at the African level, this agreement represents an opportunity to modernize the national fleet and improve the safety conditions for workers, but it poses challenges related to adapting national legislation and investing in more advanced equipment, which ensures maintaining the competitiveness of Moroccan marine products in international markets.
