Rabat– Morocco’s coastal and artisanal fisheries sector generated more than MAD 6.28 billion ($680 million) in marketed products during the first seven months of 2026, marking a 2% increase compared with the same period last year, according to the National Fisheries Office (ONP).
The increase in value came alongside stronger overall volumes. The quantity of coastal and artisanal fisheries products marketed through Morocco’s ports reached 551,547 metric tons by the end of July, up 5% from the 524,000-ton level recorded during the same period in 2025.
The performance varied significantly by species. Cephalopods recorded the strongest increase among the main categories, with their market value rising by 7%. Pelagic fish also posted a modest 1% increase, while the value of crustaceans remained broadly stable.
Other categories experienced sharp declines. The value of shellfish fell by 85%, algae by 65%, and white fish by 8%.
In terms of volume, however, pelagic fish remained by far the largest category, reaching 456,192 tons, an 11% increase from a year earlier. Cephalopod landings also rose 11% to 41,243 tons, while crustacean volumes increased 2% to 4,273 tons.
Shellfish volumes plunged 87% to just 69 tons, while algae fell 62% to 2,645 tons. White fish landings declined 25% to 47,124 tons.
Atlantic ports drive the sector
The bulk of Morocco’s coastal and artisanal fisheries activity continued to be concentrated along the Atlantic coast.
Atlantic ports recorded 540,552 tons of landings during the first seven months of 2026, up 5% compared with the same period last year. Their market value also increased, rising 3% to nearly MAD 5.85 billion, or approximately $632 million.
Mediterranean ports recorded a smaller volume of 10,995 tons, representing an 8% increase year-on-year. Despite the rise in volume, however, the value of landings at these ports fell 10% to more than MAD 427.4 million, equivalent to roughly $46 million.
The figures come as Tangier has also recorded a significant increase in coastal and artisanal fishing activity.
During the first half of 2026, landings at Tangier’s port reached 4,594 metric tons, marking a 92% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
According to ONP data, the market value of those landings rose by 13% to more than MAD 128.49 million, compared with approximately MAD 113.87 million during the first half of 2025.
