Morocco and Mauritania strengthen pelagic fisheries cooperation for sustainable development

Thursday 05 June 2025 - 11:34

By: Zahouani Ilham

Morocco and Mauritania strengthen pelagic fisheries cooperation for sustainable development

Pelagic fishing, a vital marine resource, serves as a powerful driver for integration and growth among countries along Africa’s Atlantic coast.

In this context, Morocco and Mauritania have recently taken a significant step forward in their bilateral cooperation.

On June 2 and 3, 2025, in Dakhla a symbolic hub of Morocco’s maritime development the Moroccan Confederation of Pelagic Fishing Shipowners and Industrialists (COMAIP) and the National Fisheries Federation of Mauritania (FNP) signed a joint declaration.

This official agreement establishes a lasting professional alliance aimed at enhancing the responsible and collaborative management of fishery resources, especially small pelagic species, in compliance with international standards such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the FAO’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.

Building on the foundation laid by the 2022 bilateral agreement and the Agadir Declaration of February 2025, this initiative goes beyond technical or economic concerns. It reflects a shared political and strategic vision focused on food sovereignty, marine ecosystem protection, and sustainable development for coastal communities.

While some regional countries remain isolated or hesitant, the Morocco-Mauritania partnership clearly opts for openness and proactive engagement. This South-South dynamic, driven by economic stakeholders, demonstrates the ability of these nations to promote an integration model based on concrete cooperation rather than political or historical differences.

The declaration signed in Dakhla outlines specific arrangements for coordinated management of pelagic fish stocks, ensuring a balance between economic exploitation and long-term resource conservation.

This joint commitment pragmatically addresses the environmental and social challenges affecting the region and invites transforming the sea into a space of cooperation rather than competition.

Mohamed Lemine Hormatallah, COMAIP President, emphasized: “What we initiated in Agadir is being realized today in Dakhla. This is not merely technical cooperation; it is a shared vision for the future.” This declaration reveals not only a common ambition but also the maturity of a cooperation ready to intensify for the benefit of local populations and economies.

Finally, this progress implicitly highlights the contrast with certain regional actors who, by choice or strategy, remain distant from such constructive initiatives, risking gradual marginalization amid Africa Atlantic’s evolving landscape.

The maritime cooperation between Morocco and Mauritania is a compelling example of how African countries can meet common challenges and build shared prosperity through pragmatic partnerships and responsible management. This dynamic deserves encouragement and could serve as a model for other regions on the continent.