Member of Parliament Abderrahim Bouazza has called for the introduction of social support measures for artisanal fishermen in Morocco’s Chefchaouen Province, urging the government to guarantee them a minimum income during biological rest periods. He stressed that many artisanal fishermen rely entirely on fishing as their sole source of livelihood.
Bouazza made the appeal during a follow-up intervention at the House of Representatives’ oral question session held on Monday, addressing the Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests. According to the official website of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), the lawmaker highlighted the difficult social and economic conditions facing artisanal fishermen along the coastline of Chefchaouen Province.
The parliamentarian emphasized that biological rest periods are an essential measure to protect fish stocks and ensure the long-term sustainability of marine resources. However, he argued that implementing such conservation measures should be accompanied by social assistance for fishermen whose professional activities are suspended during these periods.
Bouazza noted that the temporary halt in fishing deprives many artisanal fishermen of their only source of income, directly affecting their living conditions and those of their families. He therefore called for support mechanisms and social assistance programs capable of reducing the economic impact of mandatory fishing suspensions.
The MP further urged the adoption of practical measures that would strike a balance between preserving marine resources and safeguarding the livelihoods of artisanal fishermen. He advocated the establishment of financial support and social assistance programs during biological rest periods to help mitigate the social and economic consequences of temporary fishing bans while supporting the sustainability of the fisheries sector.