Marine fishing in Morocco is very important, as it provides direct and indirect employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of the population, as more than 3 million people depend on it for their livelihood.
Hunting in Morocco
Morocco is located in the northwest of the continent of Africa, and there are more than 40 different ecosystems spread in it, so it includes a variety of animals despite its harsh climate.
Therefore, the state makes many efforts to protect these ecosystems by establishing reserves and national parks that include more than 210 species of birds, including 11 species classified as critically endangered, and 105 mammal species, of which 18 are classified as endangered.
All hunting rights in Morocco are considered the private property of the state, which in turn regulates the hunters obtaining hunting licenses. The Dahir of 1923 AD issued a law specifying the requirements for obtaining a hunting license, the places and times in which hunting is permitted, and penalties according to each violation.
in addition to the laws Secondary that regulate trade in birds, and determine the types that are prohibited from hunting, which include rare species, and determine the permitted methods of hunting, such as hunting using guns, dogs, and falcons.
It is permitted to hunt waterfowl, waders or stalked using live traps and it is forbidden to hunt using fisheries, as well as hunting in protected areas and cultivated areas, and it is also forbidden to hunt at specific times Such as times of snowfall, and during the night, with the exception of some species that are allowed to be hunted during the first half-hour immediately following sunset.
Fishing in Morocco
Saltwater fishing
Morocco has a high potential for fishing, thanks to its distinguished geographical location, with a coastline of 500 km on the Mediterranean Sea, and a length of 3000 km on the Atlantic Ocean, so it is the largest producer of marine fisheries in Africa, ranking 25th Worldwide, according to 2014.
The marine fishing sector in Morocco is very important; It provides direct and indirect job opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people, as more than 3 million people depend on it for their livelihood.
This is in addition to its important role in the economic development of the country. Fish exports account for about 50% of agri-food exports, and about 12% of Morocco’s total exports and the products are distributed to more than 100 destinations around the world.
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Freshwater fishing
The fresh waters of Morocco include 65 species of fish, including local species, such as sturgeon fish, twisted shad fish, flathead mullet, and fish imported from other regions, Such as Mediterranean killifish, barbel fish, rainbow trout, black carp, and European perch.
Fisheries and the Naval Fleet in Morocco
The Moroccan coast is divided into four main fishing areas; It includes the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic, the South Atlantic, and the Central South Atlantic. Its fleet consists of 3 types of ships, including coastal fishing vessels, small-sized vessels, and high seas fishing vessels that include trawlers or Net tug ships and longline fishing vessels.
Marine fisheries in Morocco are classified into two categories as follows:
- High seas fisheries: These are equipped with advanced equipment, freezing equipment, and large vessels, with which cephalopods are caught; Such as octopus, pelagic squid, benthic squid, squid fish, pelagic fish, and crustaceans. The fish are completely disembarked in the ports of Agadir and Tan-Tan.
- Coastal fisheries: by which large quantities of pelagic fish are caught; Such as sardines, mackerel, sakura, anchovies or minnows, in addition to some benthic fish, Such as hake, spore fish, red bourbon or Sultan Ibrahim, turbot, and rays. The harvest of these fisheries is landed in two ports tan-tan and laayoun It is worth noting that the main fishing season, which accounts for 70% of the total catch in Morocco, extends between July and December.
