Doha – Morocco has accelerated the modernization of its fishing sector with a crazy investment of $ 34 million ($ 3.4 million) to digitize auctions on 45 wholesale seafood markets.
This initiative aims to improve the transparency of commercial transactions by scanning all the documents used in these facilities.
“This digitization focused on all the documents used in these structures, in order to improve the transparency of commercial transactions,” said Zakia Driouich, secretary of state for maritime fishing, during a session of oral questions in the Chamber of Advisors on Tuesday.
Since 2010, Morocco has implemented various measures to strengthen local market dynamics. The country now has 70 wholesale markets located in ports, landing points and fishing villages.
Fourteen new generation markets have been equipped with ice factories. Twelve additional wholesale markets were created outside the ports, with two still under construction.
Driouich noted that eight local markets for retail sales should be completed by 2027. The State Secretariat contributes to Mad 30 million ($ 3 million) to this initiative, with five projects currently underway.
To organize the distribution channels and ensure quality, the plastic funds have been standardized in all ports. The management units have been renewed and 100 ice production units have been established in the ports and fishermen’s villages.
Isolated containers have been distributed to artisanal fishing boats, which represents a total investment of 93 million MAD ($ 9.3 million).
With regard to the professional organization, Driouich said that the activities of fish merchants have been regulated. Certain provisions of Law No. 14.08 linked to the fish trade are currently being revised to fill legal gaps, improve distribution channels and fight illegal fishing.
The initiative “Hout B’taman Maaqoul” (Fish at reasonable price) was a remarkable success during Ramadan. More than 4,673 tonnes of frozen fish were sold in 35 cities, against only 414 tonnes in three cities in 2019.
Efforts are underway to extend this initiative throughout the year in coordination with partners.
The Secretary of State has attributed the sustained pace of seafood landings – with an average of 1.4 million tonnes in the last decade – to the joint efforts of all stakeholders and to the implementation of structural measures within the framework of the “Halihieutis” strategy.
Pelagic fish represent 84% of total national production.
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