Tarfaya Port Witnesses 51% Surge in Fishing Landings
In a remarkable display of the region's thriving fishing industry, the port of Tarfaya has witnessed a staggering 51% increase in coastal and artisanal fishing landings during the first three months of the current year. According to the National Fisheries Office (ONP)'s latest report on coastal and artisanal fishing statistics in Morocco, the total landings reached an impressive 1,998 tons, a significant surge from the 1,322 tons recorded during the same period last year.
Notably, the market value of these catches has also seen a substantial 32% rise during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, amounting to an impressive 85.17 million dirhams (MDH), a marked improvement from the 64.71 MDH recorded at the end of March 2023.
Breaking down the figures by species groups, the quantities of pelagic fish landed at the port experienced a 15% decline during the first three months of this year, reaching 292 tons with an estimated value of 2.23 MDH, compared to 2.70 MDH (344 tons) during the same period last year.
However, the port of Tarfaya witnessed a significant 109% surge in whitefish landings, reaching 755 tons, representing a remarkable value of 14.71 MDH, an 84% increase compared to the previous year.
The cephalopod landings, a vital component of the region's fishing industry, also exhibited a substantial 55% increase, amounting to 922 tons and generating revenue of over 67.57 MDH, a 26% rise from the previous year. Additionally, crustacean landings saw a 47% uptick, reaching 29 tons and generating revenue of more than 652,000 dirhams, a remarkable 112% increase.
On a national scale, the landings of marketable products from coastal and artisanal fishing reached 181,280 tons by the end of March 2024, representing a 14% decrease compared to the same period the previous year. Nevertheless, the value of these landings stood at nearly 3 billion dirhams, a mere 2% decrease from the same period, as reported by the ONP.
As the fishing industry continues to thrive in Tarfaya, this remarkable surge in landings and revenue underscores the region's pivotal role in Morocco's marine economy and highlights the resilience and dedication of the local fishing community.