On Thursday evening, the city of Tangier kicked off the second edition of the international sport fishing competition “Copa del Estrecho 2025”, organized by the Royal Yacht Club of Tangier (RYCT) from October 23 to 26, in celebration of the club’s 100th anniversary, marking it as one of Morocco’s most historic maritime institutions.
The event, presented at an official press conference, is held under the slogan “Lines in the Water… Reefs for Tomorrow”, combining sporting excellence with environmental and social responsibility. Part of the participants’ catch will be donated to local orphanages, alongside the launch of artificial reef projects aimed at protecting marine ecosystems in the Strait of Gibraltar.
During the press briefing, Ahmed Benani, President of the Royal Yacht Club of Tangier, emphasized that “celebrating the centenary through a competition that embodies values of challenge and environmental commitment is a symbolic tribute to the club’s history and its role in Morocco’s maritime landscape.” He added that Tangier, with its unique location between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and modern infrastructure, notably Tanja Marina Bay International, is the ideal venue for hosting this international event.
Mohamed Meghazi, head and president of the organizing committee, highlighted that the “Copa del Estrecho” has become an annual fixture in the global sport fishing calendar, combining excellence, sportsmanship, and marine conservation. The 2025 edition will feature stricter organizational and environmental measures to ensure responsible and sustainable fishing.
Competitions are overseen by an independent jury of fishing and diving experts, monitoring techniques and safety compliance. Additional points are awarded to participants who achieve diversity in species or record-breaking catches, while certain species, such as bluefin tuna, swordfish, and sharks, are excluded to protect ecological balance.
This event reflects the renewed maritime dynamism of Tangier, transformed into a Mediterranean maritime capital, thanks to major royal projects that rehabilitated the port and integrated it into the city’s economic and tourism networks. Copa del Estrecho 2025 thus links Tangier’s rich maritime heritage with a forward-looking vision for environmental sustainability.