Speaking at the opening of the 2nd edition of the Blue Africa Summit, the minister stressed that Morocco has, since 2010, made significant progress in marine conservation, thanks to the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs). , which have not only contributed to the conservation of marine biodiversity, but have contributed to an increase in fish stocks and provided a refuge for endangered species.
Mr. Sadiki, in this regard, recalled that Morocco, under the leadership of the King, launched the Blue Belt Initiative in 2016, during the COP22 in Marrakech, which quickly became a true African initiative having rallied more than 32 States of Africa and other continents, specifying that this Initiative aims to support the sustainable development of the fishing and aquaculture sector, while preserving marine ecosystems.
Concerning the fight against illegal, undeclared and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the Kingdom has put in place a complete operational system for monitoring fishing fleets, the minister said, noting that this system has been strengthened by a new legal framework based on the provisions of the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA).
“Morocco has also adopted important measures to protect our marine environment,” he continued, stressing that “since the ban on plastic bags in 2016, we have prevented more than 3,000 tons of plastic waste from being dumped into our seas every year.
Mr. Sadiki further noted that the development of wastewater treatment facilities along the Moroccan coast has considerably improved the quality of water in the main fishing and tourism areas, which has made it possible to preserve the marine life and coastal ecosystems.
“Our commitment to scientific research and innovation remains resolute,” he insisted, noting that the National Fisheries Research Institute (INRH) has concluded partnership agreements with more than 20 African countries. on joint research projects, in addition to the commissioning of two oceanographic vessels, which has significantly improved the Kingdom’s capabilities to study marine ecosystems and assess the impacts of climate change.
In this context, the minister affirmed that his department has charted a global path to modernize the fishing sector, while guaranteeing its sustainability, thanks to the “Halieutis” strategy, launched by HM the King in 2009, adding: “We have engaged multiple stakeholders (fishermen, business leaders and NGOs), through inclusive dialogue platforms, with a view to ensuring that our policies are anchored in the realities and needs of those directly linked to the ‘ocean “.
Mr. Sadiki, in this sense, affirmed that Morocco is fully determined to expand the use of renewable energies in its maritime sectors, with the ambition to increase by 50% the use of renewable energies in port operations and fishing fleets by 2030, highlighting that solar and wind energy projects are already underway in the ports of Tanger Med and Agadir.
“We are also focused on strengthening the climate resilience of our coastal communities, which are increasingly vulnerable to sea level rise and extreme weather events, in addition to promoting sustainable tourism, through the development of marine parks as tourist destinations, which contribute to job creation, while protecting vital ecosystems,” he added, calling for concrete actions to be taken in favor of ocean sustainability.
“As governments, philanthropies, scientists, environmentalists and communities, let’s work together to ensure our oceans continue to thrive. Together, we can turn commitments into meaningful actions, share knowledge and resources across borders and inspire future generations to become stewards of our oceans,” the Minister said.
Placed under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, the Blue Africa Summit 2024 is positioned as a major preparatory step ahead of the 3rd United Nations Conference on the Oceans (UNOC3), which will be held in 2025. This summit will lay the foundations solid foundations for African contributions and to identify regional priorities that will be taken to the global scale next year.
This event, organized by the Academy of the Kingdom of Morocco, in partnership with the World Marine Forum and the Blue Season, brings together nearly 100 scientific experts, economic actors and political leaders to debate the challenges and opportunities represented by the ocean for Africa.
