With more than 3,500 km of coastline on the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, Morocco is Africa's leading fish producer. Its waters, enriched by a strong upwelling current along the Atlantic coast, are among the richest fishing grounds in the world. Here is what you need to know about fishing in Morocco.
A key sector of the Moroccan economy
Landings from coastal and artisanal fisheries regularly exceed one million tonnes a year, handled in the ports by the National Fisheries Office (ONP). Seafood is among the country's leading agri-food exports, to Europe, Africa and Asia. Since the launch of the Halieutis plan in 2009, the state has managed the resource through quotas, species management plans and biological rest periods.
The main species caught in Morocco
Moroccan fisheries fall into two main product families:
- Small pelagics: sardine, mackerel, horse mackerel and anchovy. They account for most of the volumes landed. Morocco is the world's leading sardine producer.
- Cephalopods: octopus, cuttlefish and squid. Less abundant but highly valuable, they are mainly caught in the south and in strong demand in Southern Europe and Japan.
Morocco also produces white fish (hake, sea bream, sole), crustaceans and shellfish, and has a tuna fishery.
The main fishing ports
On the Atlantic, the main ports are Agadir, Tan-Tan, Laayoune, Dakhla, Safi and Essaouira. Agadir plays a central role: it is a major fishing and commercial port, surrounded by a dense network of freezing plants, canneries and exporters, close to the southern fishing grounds. On the Mediterranean, the ports of Tangier, Al Hoceima and Nador are smaller.
Buying fish from Morocco: what to check
- The facility's ONSSA health approval, essential for export, especially to the European Union.
- Control of the cold chain, from the fish auction to the reefer container.
- Batch traceability and export documents, such as the health certificate and the catch certificate required by the European Union.
- Seasonality: volumes and prices vary with fishing campaigns and biological rest periods.
Based in Agadir since 2001, FRIGO EL JAOUHARI prepares, freezes and exports Moroccan fish and cephalopods for professionals. Browse our products or send us your price request.