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Rabat – Morocco’s coastal and artisanal fishing landings reached over 210,000 tons during the first three months of 2023, marking a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
Figures released by Morocco’s National Fisheries Office (ONP) in its recent report on coastal and artisanal fishing statistics showed that the value of this year’s fishing landings so far amounted to nearly MAD 3 billion ($298 million).
Landings of seaweed increased by 51% this year to reach 4,000 tons, the report noted, detailing that shellfish also increased by 51% to 46 tons.
Meanwhile, crustacean landings reached over 2,500 tons, with an increase of 39%.
Pelagic fish constituted the largest portion of landings, with over 158,700 tons making up an increase of 13% in comparison to last year, while white fish came in second as they increased by 22% to reach 25,700 tons.
Nearly 5,000 tons of the country’s fishing products so far this year came from the Mediterranean ports, the report detailed, adding that while those ports’ quantity of product decreased by 13%, the value saw a 9% increase.
Fisheries and aquaculture are one of Morocco’s most important economic sectors, with the country ranking 13th worldwide and first in Africa last year in fish production.
Fishing in the North African country is “based on nearly 65 species of fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans,” said a recent report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), adding that Moroccan fish imports are limited to only “very luxurious goods.”
Should the increase carry throughout the rest of 2023, it will continue a trend set over the past few years, which have seen steady growth and improvement in Morocco’s fishing numbers.
