Morocco coastal fishing value rises despite lower catches

16:27

By: Dakir Madiha

Morocco coastal fishing value rises despite lower catches

The coastal and artisanal fishing sector in Morocco recorded higher revenues at the end of April 2026, even as total catches declined. The value of marketed fish products reached 3.85 billion dirhams, an increase of 5 percent compared with the same period in 2025. This growth came despite a 5 percent drop in total landings, which stood at nearly 196,000 tons.

The performance reflects a shift toward higher market value rather than higher volumes. Demand for certain high-value species helped offset the overall contraction in catches. The sector continued to show uneven dynamics across different product categories, with strong gains in some segments and clear declines in others.

Cephalopods and crustaceans drove much of the revenue growth, rising by 9 percent and 11 percent respectively. Pelagic fish also posted a modest 2 percent increase in value. These gains contrasted with sharp declines in shellfish, as well as weaker performance in algae and white fish, which all weighed on the broader balance of results.

In terms of volume, trends diverged even more sharply. Algae recorded a 36 percent increase in landings, followed by crustaceans at 12 percent and cephalopods at 4 percent. Shellfish fell significantly, while white fish also declined and pelagic species showed only slight variation. Regional patterns added further contrast, with Mediterranean ports increasing landed volumes but generating lower revenues, while Atlantic ports saw declining volumes yet stronger financial performance reaching about 3.6 billion dirhams.