Morocco’s Mediterranean Fishing Landings Rise 7% Despite Lower Revenue

16:30

By: Azzat Manal

Morocco’s Mediterranean Fishing Landings Rise 7% Despite Lower Revenue

Morocco’s Mediterranean fishing ports recorded a 7% increase in coastal and artisanal fish landings during the first nine months of 2026, even as the total value of catches declined, according to the latest figures released by the National Fisheries Office (ONP).

Landings across ports stretching from Tangier to Saïdia reached 13,477 tonnes by the end of September, compared with the same period in 2025. However, their market value fell by 10% to approximately 519.81 million Moroccan dirhams, down from 577.59 million dirhams a year earlier.

The figures highlight a divergence between the volume of seafood brought ashore and the revenue generated by the sector. While overall landings increased, the decline in value suggests that higher quantities did not translate into stronger financial returns across the Mediterranean fishing industry.

Pelagic fish recorded one of the strongest increases. Landings of these species, which include fish that generally inhabit open waters, climbed by 33% to 6,026 tonnes. Their value rose by 4% to around 122.84 million dirhams, compared with 117.73 million dirhams generated by 4,538 tonnes during the first nine months of 2025.

White fish also posted substantial growth. Volumes reached 2,663 tonnes, an increase of 28% year on year, while their value rose by 14% to more than 90.42 million dirhams. During the corresponding period last year, landings totalled 2,079 tonnes and were worth approximately 79.46 million dirhams.

By contrast, the cephalopod category, which includes octopus, squid and cuttlefish, experienced a decline. Landings fell by 16% to 3,697 tonnes, while their value dropped by 21% to approximately 240.44 million dirhams. Despite the decrease, cephalopods remained the highest-value category among the groups reported for the Mediterranean ports.

Crustacean landings remained stable at 927 tonnes, but the value generated decreased by 10% to more than 64.64 million dirhams. The contrasting results across species reflect different market and production trends within Morocco’s coastal and artisanal fishing sector.

At the national level, the overall picture was more positive. Marketed landings from coastal and artisanal fisheries reached 965,832 tonnes by the end of September 2026, representing a 19% increase compared with the same period a year earlier. Their total value rose by 6% to more than 8.68 billion dirhams, up from approximately 8.20 billion dirhams.

The national figures indicate stronger growth in the volume of fish landed than in its market value. This difference is important for assessing the sector’s performance, as higher catches alone do not necessarily guarantee proportional gains for fishers, fishing businesses or coastal communities.

Morocco’s fisheries sector plays an important role in the country’s coastal economy, supporting employment, food supply, processing and trade. The latest ONP data provide a mixed assessment of performance along the Mediterranean coast, where increased landings have coincided with lower overall revenue, even as the national industry records growth in both volume and value.