Morocco’s Fishing Industry Hit by COVID-19 and Drought, Reports Show Decline

Data from the National Fisheries Office (ONP) indicate that landings of coastal and artisanal fishery products decreased by 4% to 905,171 tons at the end of September. As a result, the market value fell by 9% to nearly 5.26 billion dirhams (MMDH), the same source said.

The volumes of crustaceans and pelagic fish recorded respective declines of 26% to 2,379 tons and 7% to 779,410 tons. Conversely, landings of algae, shellfish, white fish and cephalopods increased by 69%, 34%, 17% and 11% respectively.

During the same period, 888,553 tons of coastal and artisanal fishery products were landed at the Atlantic port entries, down 4% compared to the end of September 2019. The volumes landed in the ports located on the Mediterranean fell by 13% to 16,618 tons, the ONP notes.

As for seafood prices on the local market, particularly shrimp and squid, they have respectively increased by 140 and 120 dirhams per kilo.