Rabat – Morocco’s Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries, Zakia Driouich, met with Japan’s Ambassador to Morocco, Nakata Masahiro, on Tuesday in Rabat to discuss the future of bilateral cooperation in the fisheries sector.
The conversation conveyed a shared desire to deepen ties and explore new avenues of collaboration after more than four decades of partnership.
Driouich spoke of the solid foundations that define Morocco-Japan cooperation in this field, pointing to Japan’s role as a long-standing and reliable ally.
She also noted Japan’s early and consistent involvement, describing it as the sector’s first and most committed donor.
The meeting represented an opportunity to ponder key achievements while looking ahead to new opportunities shaped by global changes in ocean governance and environmental conditions.
Among the successful joint projects mentioned was the Al Hassan Al Marrakchi oceanographic research vessel, which was completed in 2018 with Japanese financial support.
More recently, the two countries launched the development of a next-generation fishing village in Souira K’dima, expected to run through 2017, and are currently working together on a project to expand aquaculture as part of Morocco’s blue economy strategy.
The two officials also expressed a mutual interest in reviving the trilateral cooperation initiative known as PRECAF II. This program, which brings together Morocco, Japan, and several African countries, seeks to support training and capacity-building in the fisheries sector across the continent.
Driouich and Masahiro also spoke of the importance of maintaining close coordination within regional and international organizations that deal with marine resources and ocean-related issues. They acknowledged that global challenges in the maritime sector require a collective, well-coordinated response.
Preparations are also underway for the next annual consultation session on the Morocco-Japan Fisheries Agreement, scheduled to take place in Tokyo later this year.
At the end of the meeting, both sides expressed their intention to give fresh momentum to their cooperation, recognizing that today’s challenges call for innovative approaches and renewed commitment.
