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Rabat — Morocco’s coastal and traditional fishing sector experienced a challenging start to 2025, with overall production declining despite some bright spots in specific categories, according to the latest data from the National Office of Maritime Fishing.
The total value of coastal and traditional fishing products marketed through the end of July reached MAD 6.14 billion ($ 682,513 million), representing a 3% decrease compared to the same period last year.
The decline was more pronounced in volume terms, with total catch weight falling 16% to 523,765 tons.
The fishing industry’s performance showed significant variation across different species categories.
Shellfish emerged as the standout performer, with values surging an impressive 309% year-over-year. Algae and white fish also posted strong gains, with values increasing 24% and 12% respectively.
However, these gains were offset by declines in other key categories. Pelagic fish values dropped 10%, while mollusks and crustaceans saw more modest decreases of 3% and 2% respectively.
Volume changes mirror value trends
The volume data largely reflected the value patterns. Shellfish quantities jumped 293% to reach 117 tons, while algae volumes increased 16% to 6,880 tons. White fish catches also grew, rising 13% to 63,064 tons.
On the declining side, pelagic fish volumes fell 20% to 412,542 tons, representing the largest category by volume. Mollusk catches decreased 16% to 36,986 tons, and crustacean volumes dropped 8% to 4,177 tons.
Regional port performance differs
The performance varied significantly between the country’s Mediterranean and Atlantic fishing ports.
Morocco’s Mediterranean ports showed resilience, with total landings increasing 1% to 9,624 tons through July, seeing catch values grow 2% to MAD 463.2 million ($ 51.48 million).
In contrast, Atlantic Ocean ports, which handle the bulk of Morocco’s fishing production, experienced a more challenging period. Landings at these ports fell 17% to 514,141 tons, while values declined 3% to MAD 5.68 billion ($ 631.38 million).
Industry outlook
The mixed results signal Morocco’s fishing industry’s ongoing challenges, with traditional high-volume categories like pelagic fish under pressure while niche products like shellfish show remarkable growth.
The disparity between Mediterranean and Atlantic port performance suggests regional factors may be influencing catch patterns and market dynamics.
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