The Board of Directors of the National Fisheries Office (ONP) was held on Friday in Rabat, under the chairmanship of the Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and of Water and Forests, in charge of Maritime Fisheries, Zakia Driouich.
During this session, the council reviewed the main activity indicators for the year 2024 and approved the action plan as well as the budget for the 2025 financial year, indicates a press release from the secretariat of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries.
Regarding the performance of coastal and artisanal fishing, products marketed in 1st and 2nd sales at the end of November 2024 reached a volume of approximately 1.394 million tonnes for a value of 10.65 billion dirhams, i.e. a level practically similar in volume and a slight improvement in value compared to the same period 2023, specifies the same source.
In addition, the Board of Directors welcomed the progress of the digitalization of the auction of seafood products within the ONP sites, the press release said, adding that As such, 18 markets at port level out of 22 (82%) use the digital sales system, with 71% of species sold via this system.
As for the halls located at the VDP/PDA level, 16 halls out of 45 (35%) adopt this system, covering 66% of species. The deployment of the digitalization of sales is underway at the industrial fish approval counters (CAPI).
Concerning the 2025 action plan, it aims to contribute to the modernization and sustainable structuring of the Moroccan fishing sector and to support the strategic and operational transformation of the ONP.
It provides for the modernization of fish markets and wholesale markets to ensure better hygiene and quality of products and also aims to extend the digitalization of the auction of fishing products to all marketing sites.
The installation of photovoltaic plants on isolated sites is also planned, in order to improve energy efficiency.
Furthermore, a national standard will be adopted to strengthen the traceability and quality of fishery products.
The Board of Directors also placed emphasis on strengthening the ONP's governance system, through the establishment of the strategy and investment committee as well as the governance committee.
According to the press release, this session was an opportunity to highlight the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders to support the ONP in achieving its strategic objectives.
