Morocco’s Red Coral Population Plummets: WWF Warns of Biodiversity Threat

The amount of red coral authorized to be fished has dropped by 50%, from 500 kg per boat/coral fisher per year, between 2014 and 2016 to 230 kg per boat/coral fisher per year until the end of 2019, according to data from the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH), reports the MAP agency. In addition, the authorized coral fishermen have gone from nine to ten fishing vessels, by virtue of an order from the Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests. Highly valued by the luxury jewelry industry, red coral has an inestimable market value. This is what earns it the double greed of counterfeiters who sell it in counterfeit form, and of sea poachers who adopt out-of-the-ordinary methods to tear off the coral branches.

Given these findings, the updating of the ministerial order becomes imperative, as well as a toughening of the response from the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH), to preserve this natural wealth. In this regard, the National Association of Moroccan Coral Divers has decided to develop studies to analyze the current situation and the evolution of coral in the kingdom.

Internationally, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is also concerned, since coral reefs constitute a powerful bulwark against violent natural phenomena. The NGO also warns against the destructive practices of this vulnerable environment, especially waste from individuals and industry, wastewater, pesticides and oil spills.