“Morocco willing to contribute to collective efforts to restore the stock of bigeye tuna”

“The Kingdom of Morocco is ready to contribute to collective efforts for the recovery of the bigeye tuna stock, as we have already done for bluefin tuna, and to a consensus on an equitable distribution of the TAC (Total Authorized Catch, editor’s note ) which ensures the rights of developing countries to increase their own fisheries and ensure stable employment”, indicated Ms. Driouich, in a speech delivered by videoconference during the 24th extraordinary meeting of the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), which takes place in Cyprus from November 11 to 18.

Recalling Morocco’s “strong contribution” to the collective efforts to restore the stock of bluefin tuna in the Eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean and its commitment to tuna conservation and sustainability efforts, the Secretary of State highlighted the efforts made by the Kingdom, over the last two decades, in the protection of fishery resources and vulnerable species (mammals, sharks, rays, turtles, seabirds, etc.) and its strong contribution to achieving objectives set out in the ICCAT convention.

In her capacity as first vice-president of ICCAT, Ms. Driouich assured that Morocco will work so that this session can deepen debates on other issues linked to climate change, marine biodiversity and vulnerable species, alongside other current issues.

Highlighting the achievements made by Morocco, thanks to the High Royal Guidelines, having placed the sustainability of fishery resources at the heart of the national strategy for the development of the fishing sector, Ms. Driouich underlined that the will of the Kingdom, as major player in Africa, to cooperate within the commission, is based on the solid experience acquired, thanks to the deployment of the National Strategy for the Development of the Fisheries Sector, Halieutis, launched by HM King Mohammed VI in 2009, and the sector development roadmap 2020-2030, with a view to making it a lever for sustainable economic and social development.

She also focused on the Royal Vision aimed at making the Atlantic coast a gateway for trade and economic integration with Africa and the Americas, by facilitating access for countries in the region. Sahel to the Atlantic Ocean, recalling that Tangier had hosted the work of the 3rd High-level Ministerial Conference on the “Blue Belt Initiative”, in preparation for the Conference on the Oceans, which will take place in April 2025.

”Morocco, given its major role in Africa, has assets, solid experience and a strong commitment to Africa, which has materialized, thanks to the Royal Will to promote opening between African nations on the Atlantic coast, to promote the development of a regional fishing sector oriented towards a blue, resilient and sustainable economy and to develop responsible practices,” she said.

Highlighting the Kingdom’s “strong commitment” to protecting the oceans, the Secretary of State indicated that Morocco has acquired significant scientific resources, with a view to strengthening the ocean observation system and the maritime ecosystem, through the acquisition of an oceanographic vessel to guarantee sustainable development of the fishing and aquaculture sector.

Highlighting the progress made thanks to the national strategy for the development of the fishing sector, Ms. Driouich specified that it “favors the valorization and minimization of the environmental impact, while being structured around three structuring orientations , ambitious and complementary: sustainability, performance and competitiveness”.

“We hope that this meeting will result in the adoption of a recommendation to preserve the stock of tropical tunas and to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of the TAC between the Cooperating Contracting Parties (CPCs) which exploit it,” he said. she pleaded, recalling that “the discussion on this fishery had started since 2019”.

Ms. Driouich also underlined the imperative of adopting, during this session, the process of the Management Strategy Evaluation (MSE) of Atlantic Swordfish, the objective being to “guarantee, as was the case with bluefin tuna, sustainable exploitation of this stock and meet the needs of the different CPCs”.

The government official did not fail to draw attention to the overexploitation of several fish stocks, testifying to an exceeding of their sustainable biological limits, considering that the sustainable management of fisheries is becoming an “absolute priority” to preserve not only this strategic sector for food sovereignty, but also to ensure employment and the well-being of coastal communities.

“This challenge is made more complex by the impact of climate change, which requires increased efforts in monitoring and scientific research to support the transition to sustainable and resilient fishing,” she maintained.