Small-scale and coastal fishing landings at Morocco’s Mediterranean ports reached 10,879 tonnes by the end of August, marking a 13% decline compared to the same period in 2023, according to the National Fisheries Office (ONP).
Despite the drop in volume, the value of these landings surged 8% year-on-year, totaling around 513.17 million dirhams for the first eight months of 2024, up from 473.91 million dirhams in the same period last year, the ONP noted in its latest report on fishing statistics.
Pelagic fish landings along the Mediterranean coast, from Tangier to Saidia, fell sharply by 31% to 4,068 tonnes, with their value decreasing 13% to 110.35 million dirhams, compared to 127.19 million dirhams for 5,921 tonnes in August 2023.
White fish landings also dropped, down 14% to 1,701 tonnes, with a slight 3% dip in value to 70.87 million dirhams from 72.69 million dirhams for 1,979 tonnes in the previous year.
On the upside, landings of cephalopods rose 19% to 4,170 tonnes, driving a 26% increase in revenue to 269.70 million dirhams. Crustacean landings remained flat at 881 tonnes, though revenues edged up 10% to 62.20 million dirhams.
Shellfish landings, however, plummeted 100% to zero tonnes from 146 tonnes a year earlier, generating no revenue compared to 2.77 million dirhams in August 2023. Meanwhile, seaweed landings skyrocketed by 8,691% to 59 tonnes from just 1 tonne last year.
On a national scale, total landings of small-scale and coastal fishing products reached 766,196 tonnes by the end of August 2024, reflecting a 2% increase from a year earlier. In value, these landings rose 5% to more than 7.41 billion dirhams.
