The overall state of octopus landings made in Dakhla until January 7, 2025 is more than satisfactory, since 25% of the quota has already been achieved for a weight of 1,690,336.5 kg and a value of 176,997,758 dirhams at the level fishing villages of Lassargua, Labouirda, Ntireft and Imoutlan, totaling 3,082 boats operating in artisanal fishing, specifies the State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries in a press release.
These figures highlight the success of the biological rest period which allowed an abundance of resources which had a positive impact on the selling price in fish markets and wholesale markets under the National Fisheries Office (ONP). , underlines the same source.
This activity has enabled Moroccan ports to experience remarkable economic growth, thus contributing to the strengthening of the national economy, the sustainability of fishing resources and the valorization of seafood products.
It is also part of a dynamic of balanced economic development, promoting the country’s food security and supporting fishing communities as well as operators who depend on this sector.
As a reminder, the State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries announced the opening of the winter octopus fishing season for the period from January 1 to March 31, 2025, on the entire national coastline.
As part of efforts in favor of sustainable management of fishery resources, this decision follows the recommendations of the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH) and the establishment of an autumnal biological rest which was implemented from October 1 to December 31, 2024.
The results of the INRH scientific monitoring campaign presented during the octopus fishery monitoring committee held on December 17, highlight a significant improvement in octopus stocks, particularly to the south and north of Sidi Lghazi. These results demonstrate the constant efforts made to preserve this resource.
In addition, the State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries explains that octopus fishing is spread over two seasons (summer and winter), involves three fleet segments: artisanal, coastal and industrial which exploit octopus along coastal areas. of the Kingdom.
This activity, of capital socio-economic importance, contributes to the creation of thousands of jobs at sea and on land, and represents strong commercial value.
-Aware of these issues, the State Secretariat deploys administrative, scientific and operational resources to ensure rigorous control and surveillance throughout the value chain, thus guaranteeing the sustainability of this activity.
The management of octopus stocks is based on strict measures, in particular the setting of a total allowable catch (TAC) by area. These quotas, distributed according to fleet categories and vessels, are supplemented by additional management measures aimed at sustainably preserving this fishery resource.
These measures concern fishing zones, fishing gear, closure of rocky areas, fixing the number of vessels, minimum merchant sizes, etc.
These provisions reflect the firm commitment of the State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries in favor of responsible and balanced exploitation of fishery resources.
This commitment aims to guarantee the ecological and economic sustainability of this activity while supporting operators operating in the sector, in order to ensure their activity over the long term.
Since the start of this Winter 2025 octopus campaign, special control measures have been put in place from unloading to the processing units.
These measures consist of strengthening physical control at unloading points (ports and fishing sites), at the level of fish markets and also industrial units by checking traceability documents, especially during the certification of catches intended for export. .
This reinforced control aims to respect the quotas allocated for each segment and sustainable management of this octopus fishery and also to guarantee better valorization and fair competition between operators.
