HIBAPRESS – Abdel Latif Barka
The blue crab, originating from the western coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, has become a source of concern for traditional fishermen on the Moroccan Mediterranean coast, due to the damage it inflicts on fishing nets and fears about its impact on local fish stocks.
A recently published scientific study revealed the observation of 127 blue crabs in the mouths of Wadi Tani in the Martil region and Wadi Al-Nekru in Fnideq, north of the Kingdom, including females carrying eggs, indicating its ability to reproduce in these coastal environments. The same study documented damage to fishing nets and injuries sustained by some sailors while handling it. These data present environmental and economic challenges for the traditional fishing sector, in light of the costs of repairing equipment and the possibility of damage to catches, which necessitates intensified monitoring of its spread, and studying the possibility of developing specialized methods for its capture and marketing, to limit its damage and open new economic opportunities for sailors.
