Morocco has increased its quota of Atlantic swordfish and bigeye tuna and maintains its quota of bluefin tuna, as part of the work of the 24th extraordinary meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas ( ICCAT), held in Limassol, Cyprus.
During this session, which was organized from November 11 to 18, the Moroccan delegation worked to preserve the national interests and achievements of all regions and genders, according to a press release from the Secretariat of State with responsibility for sea fishing. For the North Atlantic swordfish stock, the Commission adopted the new management strategy for this species which allowed an upward revision of the Total Allowable Catch (TAC), assigning the same source .
As a result, Morocco was able to benefit from an increase in its current quota, from 850 tons to 1,186 tons, as well as an additional quota of 175 tons transferred from Japan at the rate of 150 tons and from Trinidad and Tobago at the rate of 25. tons for the period 2025-2027. In addition, the Commission endorsed a multi-year plan for the conservation and management of tropical tunas as well as other management measures. Morocco has therefore won a very large quota for bigeye tuna (1,600 tonnes), he added, noting that this plan provides for the annual TAC for yellowfin tuna to be kept at the current level of 110,000 tons.
Regarding bluefin tuna fishing, the Kingdom has maintained its current quota, i.e. 3,700 tons for the year 2025. In addition, following the Secretariat of State, several conservation and management measures have been adopted related to the ecosystem especially in terms of shark conservation. which benefited from special attention from the Commission.
Furthermore, the debates of the Implementation Committee have shown once again that Morocco has been working to implement all the conservation and management measures adopted by ICCAT. In fact, the Kingdom is one of 14 countries out of 57 countries that have shown full compliance. In addition, in the speech delivered by video conference at the opening of the extraordinary meeting, the Secretary of State pointed out to the Minister of Agriculture, Marine Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, who is in charge of Marine Fisheries, Zakia Driouich, Morocco’s efforts over the past two decades to protect fisheries resources and vulnerable species.
Ms. Driouich, who is the first vice-president of ICCAT, also highlighted Morocco’s significant contribution to achieving the goals defined in the ICCAT convention.
With MAP
2024-11-24 22:17:00
#Morocco #increases #Atlantic #swordfish #bigeye #tuna #quota #maintains #bluefin #tuna #quota
**Balancing Act:** Given the potential economic benefits of increased quotas for swordfish and bigeye tuna, how can Morocco ensure its fishing practices remain sustainable and prevent overfishing of these species?
## Interview: Morocco’s Catch: Balancing Fishery Management and Sustainability
**Introduction**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re diving into the recent decisions made at the 24th extraordinary meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). We have two esteemed guests to help us unpack the implications of Morocco’s increased quotas for swordfish and bigeye tuna, and the maintained quota for bluefin tuna. Joining us today are [Guest 1 Name and Title, ideally a marine biologist or fisheries expert] and [Guest 2 Name and Title, ideally an expert on Moroccan fisheries or international trade].
**Section 1: Quota Increases: Economic Opportunity or Environmental Concern?**
* **[To Guest 1]** Morocco’s swordfish quota has seen a significant increase, and the country has secured a substantial quota for bigeye tuna. While this presents economic opportunities for Morocco, what are your thoughts on the potential environmental impact of these increased catches?
* **[To Guest 2]** How will these increased quotas affect the Moroccan fishing industry and the livelihoods of those who depend on it?
* **[To Both Guests]** Do you believe ICCAT’s management strategies for these species are sufficient to ensure their long-term sustainability given the increasing demand?
**Section 2: Bluefin Tuna Management: A Delicate Balancing Act**
* **[To Guest 1]** Morocco has maintained its quota for bluefin tuna. However, this species is known for its vulnerability to overfishing. How do you assess the current management measures in place for bluefin tuna? Are they enough to ensure its recovery?
* **[To Guest 2]** How important is the bluefin tuna fishery to Morocco’s economy? What impact could a future decrease in quotas have on the country?
* **[To Both Guests]** With the increasing global demand for bluefin tuna, what alternative approaches could be explored to balance economic interests with conservation efforts?
**Section 3: Morocco’s Role in International Fisheries Management**
* **[To Guest 2]** As highlighted in the article, Morocco is a leader in implementing ICCAT’s management measures. What factors contribute to Morocco’s success in this area?
* **[To Guest 1]** What can other countries learn from Morocco’s approach to fishery management?
* **[To Both Guests]** Looking ahead, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities facing Morocco and other nations in managing shared tuna stocks in the Atlantic Ocean?
**Conclusion**
Thank you both for sharing your valuable insights. The decisions made at ICCAT have wide-reaching implications for the future of Atlantic tuna populations and the livelihoods of those who depend on them.
We hope this discussion has shed light on the complexities of sustainable fisheries management and the important role of international cooperation in balancing economic interests with environmental protection.
