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Europaudvalget 2011-12
EUU Alm.del Bilag 61
Offentligt

COU CIL OF

THE EUROPEA U IO

Brussels, 12 September 2011 (13.09)

(OR. fr)

6751/11

EXT 1 ADD 1

PECHE 52

ADDE DUM o 1 TO THE PARTIAL DECLASSIFICATIO

of:

6751/11 RESTREINT UE

dated:

18 February 2011

new

public

classification:

Subject:

Specific Agreement No 26: Ex-post evaluation of the current Protocol to the

Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Kingdom

of Morocco, Impact study for a possible future Protocol to the Agreement

Delegations will find attached the above document partially declassified (second part

_______________

See also EXT 1 INIT + ADD 2-5.

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Table 4: Principal budgetary aspects. Source: annual Finance Acts

(EUR million)

I- Total Resources

Revenue general budget

Tuna trap fees

Fishing licence fees

Other fees

Sea fisheries contributions

Fishing fines

Sundry income

Sub-total fisheries

Revenue Government department budget

Revenue special Treasury accounts

II- Total Expenditure

Operating general budget

Operating Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (staff)

Operating Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (expenditure)

Investment general budget

Investment Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries

Surplus of expenditure over revenue

2007

18 965

15 975

2008

21 083

17 271

0.1

2.5

39.9

0.2

0.7

45.8

147

3 665

22 181

10 970

72.2

93.7

4 653

275.1

1 098

2009

26 288

21 405

0.2

2.2

2.0

40.2

0.2

0.7

45.4

189

4 694

27 446

13 423

79.2

98.6

5 675

497.6

1 158

2010

23 707

19 395

0.1

1.9

0.7

36.5

0.2

0.7

40.2

207

4 104

24 866

12 290

61.7

131.0

7 359

666.6

1 159

43.8

142

2 848

20 332

9 773

66.8

102.9

3 477

267.8

1 367

→The fisheries sector and the budget

The general budget revenue from the fisheries sector amounts to approximately EUR 45 million per year.

Consequently, it represents only a very small part of the revenue of the country (0.2% to 0.3%). The financial

compensation paid under the Fisheries Agreement of EUR 36.1 million per year equally is of little

significance in the public finance equilibrium (0.2% of budget revenue). The contribution of the EU under the

Fisheries Agreement comes under the "Sea Fisheries contribution" where it is added to the compensation

received under the Fisheries Agreement with Russia, which can therefore be calculated by subtraction as

varying between EUR 5 million and 10 million per year. Overall, the compensation paid by the EU for the

Agreement in progress represents about 80% of the public revenue from the fisheries sector.

As regards expenditure, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries receives approximately 1.5% of operating

expenditure from the general budget and is among the smallest Ministries in this respect, far behind the

Ministries of Education, Defence, the Interior, Health or Justice. On the other hand, the Ministry of Agriculture

and Fisheries receives far larger investment appropriations (approximately 9% of the total investment

expenditure), with a clear upwards tendency. In 2010, the Ministry has received one of the largest investment

appropriations, less than the Ministry of Education, but more than the Ministries of Public Works and

Transport, Defence or the Interior. Nevertheless, the bulk of the budget resources allocated to this Ministry

are for agriculture. The Sea Fisheries Department in fact receives only the equivalent of EUR 30 million in

investment budget, i.e. 4% to 5% of the total appropriation assigned to the Ministry.

2.4

Foreign investment and the business climate

Morocco claims to be a country which is resolutely open to foreign enterprise. With positive law which does

not discriminate in any way between nationals and foreigners, the country is open to foreign capital, which

has come to account for a significant share of investment. The reforms adopted at regular intervals aim to

improve the business climate in favour of all operators.

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With a supply of skilled labour close to Europe (Morocco is only 14 km from Spain), Morocco aims to position

itself as a platform for production and export of European know-how. Its advanced status with the EU in the

context of the neighbourhood policy, its free trade agreement with the USA and its membership of the Arab

League have already earned it a large number of establishments of foreign enterprises: historically French

and Spanish, more recently Chinese and Japanese. This foreign investment is undertaken under the

liberalisations and privatisations in the field of ICT, energy, water and electricity distribution, infrastructures,

etc.

This progressive opening up, which affects almost all sectors, is accompanied by the gradual establishment

of a climate which is more favourable especially to foreign investment. With the adoption of reforms of the

Investment Charter in 2005, the State restructured the tax system in 2007 and is engaged in improving the

guarantees given to investors. The State has also created installation sites adapted to the needs of

investors, such as free zones, business parks for outsourced services (offshoring) and integrated industrial

platforms.

Table 5: Data relating to direct foreign investment in Morocco. Source: CNUCED, World Investment Report 2010

(USD million)

1995-2005

2006

DFI flows

Incoming

Outgoing

1 109

2 450

445

2 803

621

2 487

485

1 131

470

20087

2008

2009

As % of fixed capital formation

Incoming

Outgoing

10.4

0.3

11.9

2.6

1.8

4.5

1.6

DFI stock

Incoming

Outgoing

5 126

269

8 842

402

38 613

1 337

39 388

1 699

40 719

2 169

As % of GDP

Incoming

Outgoing

13.9

0.7

51.3

1.8

45.5

2.5

As shown in the table above, foreign investment is nevertheless down in 2008 and 2009, as a consequence

of the financial crisis affecting the developed countries. Nevertheless, the start of the upturn has prompted

the announcement of new major projects concerning a diversified portfolio of sectors: metallurgy with a

British group, power stations with a group from the Emirates, motor vehicles with a French group,

telecommunications, banking and tourism. European enterprises account for two thirds of DFI flows,

compared to a quarter for the Persian Gulf States.

This said, the business climate in Morocco could still be improved further. According to the report

Doing

Business 2010,

sponsored by the World Bank, Morocco is classified only in 128th place in the world out of

183 classified countries, down two places compared to its 2009 classification. In the World Bank’s analysis,

Morocco is penalised compared to other third countries by indicators relating to employment of workers

(176th place), property registration (123rd), investment protection (165th), respect of contract law (108th)

and tax systems (125th). The favourable indicators for Morocco are those relating to the registration of new

companies (76th), access to international trade (72nd) and obtaining credit (87th). Another factor which is

unfavourable to the business climate is Morocco’s classification in the corruption index measured by the

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NGO

Transparency International

is tending to deteriorate, with the country falling from 72nd place in the

world in 2007 to 80th place in 2008.

2.5

Employment

According to the statistics of the High Commission for Planning, just over 10 million people aged 15 years

and over are employed in Morocco. About 41% of jobs are in the primary sectors of agriculture, forestry or

fishing, 20% in general administration and social services for the community, 13% in trade and 9% in

industry. Jobs in the primary sector are logically mainly in the rural areas (75% of total jobs), with a very

small minority in urban areas (5%). Moreover, this sector essentially employs people without qualifications

(79% of the workers in the rural areas have no diploma).

Table 6: Situation of employment by sectors of economic activity. Source: High Commission for Planning

(in thousands)

Agriculture, forestry and

fishing

Industry

Buildings and public works

Trade

Transport

Administration

Social services

Other services

TOTAL

2007

4 233.6

1 277.1

844.7

1 257

402.2

1 025.7

1 005.6

10.1

10 056

2008

4 157.1

1 304.2

906.8

1 273.6

448.3

1 018.9

1 049.5

20.4

10178.8

Trend 2007/2008

-1.8

2.1

7.4

1.3

11.5

-0.7

4.4

102.6

1.2

In 2009, the unemployment rate of the population was estimated at 9.6% (i.e. just over 1 million people), with

a greater prevalence in urban areas (13.8%) as opposed to rural areas (4%). As shown in the graph below,

the unemployment rate is tending to fall in Morocco. Unemployment mainly affects the population aged 15 to

24 years (18%), followed by the 25-34 year age group (12.7%).

Trend in the unemployment rate (in %)

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Figure 3: Trend in the unemployment rate in Morocco. Source: High Commission for Planning

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→The fisheries sector and employment

According to the Ministry responsible for fisheries, approximately 170 000 people are directly

employed in the fisheries sector, of whom 110 080 in the production sector (on-board

employment), 61 650 in the processing industries and 165 in aquaculture. Direct employment in

the sector therefore accounts for approximately 1.6% of employment in Morocco and on-board

employment 2.6% of jobs in the primary sector. The Ministry’s estimates indicate that in addition to

this direct employment, fisheries also generate 490 000 jobs in related sectors, giving a total of

660 000 jobs, bringing the contribution of the sector to total employment to 6.5%.

According to the information supplied by the Ministry, employment in the fisheries sector is

particularly important in the southern regions where it accounts for about 30% of jobs.

REGIONAL DATA

Morocco has sixteen regions, each headed by a Wali, and a regional council, which represents the

"living strength" of the region. These regions have the status of local authorities. According to the

country’s Constitution, "the local authorities shall elect the assemblies responsible for the

democratic management of their affairs under the conditions determined by law. The governors

shall implement the decisions taken by the provincial, prefectoral and regional assemblies under

the conditions determined by law."

The various regions in the list below correspond to the numbers shown on the map on the next

page:

1. Chaouia-Ouardigha;

2. Doukhala-Abd;

3. Fès-Boulemane;

4. Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen;

5. Grand Casablanca;

6. Guelmim-Es Smara (includes part of the Western Sahara, the province of Es Smara);

7. Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia el Hamra (includes part of the Western Sahara);

8. Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz;

9. Meknès-Tafilalet;

10. Oriental;

11. Oued Ed-Dahab-Lagouira (located in the Western Sahara);

12. Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaër;

13. Sous-Massa-Drâa;

14. Tadla-Azilal;

15. Tangier-Tétouan;

16. Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate.

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Figure 4: Outline map of the administrative regions of Morocco

The principal regional economic indicators are shown in the table below. They were drawn up by

the High Commission for Planning for the years 2004 and 2007 with regard to the GDP data and

for 2009 regarding the employment indicators. The data on the regional distribution of the

population date back to the last census of 2004.

Table 7: Selection of regional indicators. Source: High Commission for Planning

Regions

Population

Regional

GDP (2007)

Growth

2004-

2007

Share of

fisheries in

regional GDP

(2007)

10.4%

4.5%

0.3%

0.0%

0.1%

0.4%

0.3%

0.0%

0.6%

0.0%

0.7%

Contribution of

fisheries to national

sectoral GDP

(2007)

36.4%

35.4%

1.1%

0.0%

1.2%

2.0%

7.4%

0.2%

3.5%

0.0%

2.2%

Labour

force

partic-

ipation

rate (2009)

45.9%

51.5%

58.6%

56.5%

54.5%

44.3%

47.0%

45.0%

58.1%

51.2%

45.9%

48.4%

52.3%

Unemploy-

ment rate

(2009)

Southern

regions*

Sous-Massa-

Drâa

Gharb-Chrarda-

Beni Hssen

Chaouia-

Ouardigha

Marrakech-

Tensift-Al Haouz

Oriental

Grand

Casablanca

Rabat-Salé-

Zemmour-Zaër

Doukhala-Abd

Tadla-Azilal

Meknès-Tafilalet

Fès-Boulemane

Taza-Al

Hoceima-

Taounate

2.7%

10.4%

6.2%

5.5%

10.4%

6.4%

12.1%

7.9%

6.6%

4.9%

7.2%

5.3%

6.0%

3.5%

8.0%

3.9%

5.0%

8.9%

5.1%

21.3%

13.6%

6.4%

2.6%

5.2%

4.5%

3.0%

9.2%

6.0%

1.5%

5.1%

13.4%

5.7%

3.1%

10.4%

7.0%

0.0%

6.5%

8.5%

4.3%

13.7%

7.2%

11.3%

6.1%

4.9%

18.2%

11.6%

12.5%

7.4%

5.0%

8.4%

7.0%

8.1%

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Tangier-Tétouan

8.3%

8.8%

12.7%

1.2%

10.7%

42.8%

8.9%

* The Moroccan statistics cover the regions of Oued Ed-Dahab-Lagouira, Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia el Hamra and Guelmim-Es Smara in a southern

region aggregate for reasons of representativeness mentioned.

The results of the production accounts show that five regions out of 16 were responsible for nearly 60.6% of

the national wealth creation in 2007. Grand Casablanca is in first place with 21.3%, followed by Rabat-Salé-

Zemmour-Zaer (13.6%), Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz (8.9%), Tangier-Tétouan (8.8%) and Souss-Massa-

Daraâ (8%). They are followed by four regions which contribute 21.7% to GDP. These are Doukkala-Abda

(6.4%), Mèknes-Tafilalt (5.2%), Oriental (5.1%) and Chaouia-Ouardigha (5%). The contribution of each of the

other regions varies between 2.6% (Tadla-Azilal) and 4.5% (Fès-Boulemane).

The regions which posted a two-digit GDP growth rate – or nearly – between 2004 and 2007 are the regions

of Marrakech-Tensift-Al Haouz (+13.4%), Tangier-Tétouan (+12.7%), Rabat-Salé-Zemmour-Zaër (+10.4%)

and the south (+9.2%).

The economic activities are of variable importance according to the regions. In Grand Casablanca for

example, the dominant activities are the extractive and processing industries (28%), trade (11,5%), financial

activities and insurance (16%) and property-renting and services (15.8%). The other production contributes a

share of less than 6% to the total added value of the region. This region has a different configuration from

the others, where at best two activities account for the bulk of added value. For example, agriculture remains

significant in the regions of Tangier-Tétouan, Gharb-Chrarda-Béni Hsan, Tadla-Azilal and Meknès-Tafilalt,

where it contributes between 22.4% and 30.1% to the formation of added value.

The contribution of the fisheries sector to regional GDP is greatest in the southern regions (10.4%), before

the region of Souss Massa Drâa (Agadir) with 4.5% and the region of Tangier Tétouan (1.2%). It is pointed

out that over 70% of national GDP of the fisheries sector is generated in the southern regions (36.4% of

national fisheries GDP) and in the region of Souss Massa Drâ (35.4%). Only the region of Tangier Tétouan

makes a significant contribution to the fisheries sector GDP (10.7%) in addition to the two regions mentioned

above.

The unemployment rate is highest in the Oriental region (18.2%), followed by the southern regions (13.7%).

The unemployment rate is also high in the large economic centres of Grand Casablanca and Rabat-Salé

(approximately 12% compared to a national average of 9.6%). The labour force participation rate, which

indicates the proportion of people who are participating or are seeking to participate in the production of

goods and services in a given population, is the lowest in the regions of Tangier and Tétouan (42.8%) and

the south (45.9%).

4.1

RELATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION

Political aspects

As early as 1963, Morocco requested the opening of negotiations to conclude a commercial agreement in

1969. This cooperation then developed to end in a new Agreement in 1976 containing both trade provisions

and a financial contribution in the form of donations to the socio-economic development of the Kingdom.

This agreement was flanked by four financial protocols signed during the period 1976 to 1996, supplemented

by loans from the European Investment Bank. During the period following the financial protocols, the MEDA I

programme (1996-99), which represents a tripling of the aid to Morocco compared to the financial protocols,

allowed support to be given to the economic transition and socio-economic equilibrium in Morocco. The

MEDA II programme, with some projects still in progress, allowed a considerable increase in the amount of

finance allocated to Morocco.

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At regional level, the Barcelona Conference of November 1995, which brought together the European Union

and the 12 Mediterranean partner countries, led to the Barcelona Declaration, a programme of dialogue,

trade and cooperation to guarantee peace, stability and prosperity in the region. This unprecedented political

commitment covers the "Political and Security", "Economic and Financial" and "Social, cultural and human"

facets. This partnership is established at bilateral level by an association agreement between each

Mediterranean partner and the European Union. Morocco, which plays a strategic role in the Euro-

Mediterranean partnership, signed this Association Agreement in February 1996 and it entered into force in

March 2000. The main objectives of this agreement are:

•

to strengthen political dialogue,

•

to establish the conditions necessary for the progressive liberalisation of trade in goods, services and

capital, including that in fisheries products,

•

to develop balanced economic and social relations between the parties,

•

to support the South-South integration initiatives,

•

to promote cooperation in the economic, social, cultural and financial fields.

In 2003, the EU launched the neighbourhood policy, which supplements, specifies and deepens the Euro-

Mediterranean partnership. This initiative takes the concrete form of the joint adoption of an action plan

which sets out a programme of economic and political reforms with short and medium-term priorities. The

fisheries sector does not appear explicitly in this action plan. A new action plan is currently being drawn up

for the period 2010-2015, with the possibility of including fisheries and maritime policy in the priority sectors

for cooperation.

In October 2008, advanced status , the first in the southern Mediterranean region, was granted to Morocco,

marking a new phase in special relations. The advanced status will take the form of strengthening the

political dialogue, economic and social cooperation, in the parliamentary, security and justice fields and in

various sectors, notably agriculture, transport, energy and the environment, as well as the progressive

integration of Morocco in the common internal market and convergence of laws and regulations. Morocco will

also be able to apply to participate in the work of certain Community agencies.

4.2

Financial aspects

Since January 2007, the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) has been financing

the cooperation between the EU and Morocco with a budget earmarked under the National Indicative

Programme for the period 2007-2010 of EUR 654 million (≈ EUR 163 million per year over four years), which

makes Morocco the leading beneficiary from European funds in the region. The distribution of this budget

according to the major components of the cooperation is as follows:

Social component

Governance component

Institutional support component

Economic component

Environment component

Total programme 2007-2010

296 M€

28 M€

40 M€

240 M€

50 M€

654 M€

45%

37%

100%

For the period 2011-2013, the NIP in the process of adoption provides for a budget of nearly EUR 580 million

(≈ EUR 193 million per year for three years). The details of the commitments per component are not yet in

the public domain.

By way of comparison, the annual EU financial contribution under the current Fisheries Agreement amounts

to EUR 36.1 million per year (4 to 5 times less than the annualised amounts provided for the NIPs), but

focuses on a sector which appears only implicitly in the strategic priorities of the NIP 2007-2010. There is

therefore no problem

a priori

of consistency between the various components of the EU policy in relation to

Morocco.

Commonly defined by commentators as "more than association, less than accession".

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4.3

Relations with other donors

The figure below provides a summary of the main financial support received by Morocco according to the

data published by the OECD Development Assistance Committee. The statistics confirm the pole position of

the European Union among the donors, with in addition substantial bilateral interventions by certain Member

States, including France, Germany and Spain. The development assistance received by Morocco is in the

region of EUR 1 billion per year, i.e. 1.4% of GDP. The EU is at the origin of a third of this development

assistance.

For France, the sectoral priorities concern modernisation of the public sector, development of the private

sector, vocational training, social development and basic infrastructures. For Germany, the sectoral priorities

for intervention are sustainable development of the economy, including vocational training, protection of the

environment and natural resources including renewable energies and water and sanitation. Finally, for Spain,

the aid is concentrated in the sectors of health, basic social infrastructures, training, urban regeneration,

agriculture and tourism. The themes of the Spanish cooperation include actions in favour of the fisheries

sector (fishing village as basic infrastructure).

Figure 5: Summary of the development assistance received by Morocco. Source: OECD

Among the other multilateral donors, mention is made of the contributions of the World Bank, which focus on

the reduction of poverty in rural areas, the development of basic social services and the promotion of good

governance. The World Bank also supports sectoral reforms in the field of public administration, the business

environment and agricultural policy. The annual financing from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB),

amounting to just over EUR 1 million, is intended for social development, the development of human

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resources and agriculture. The African Development Bank commenced operations in Morocco in

1970.

As regards bilateral aid from third countries, mention is made of the United States, with activity

centred on education, fostering enterprise and environmental management. Support under the

Millennium Challenge Account has just been approved by both parties. It provides for funding

amounting to USD 698 million (≈ EUR 550 million) over 5 years, of which USD 116 million (≈ EUR

89 million) targeting on support for artisanal fishing (creation of landing sites and fish wholesale

markets). The United States and Morocco also have special relations. The two partners concluded

a free trade agreement in 2004, which entered into force on 1January 2006.

Japan finances cooperation activities in the sectors of the drinking water distribution, road

construction and in the fisheries sector. Cooperation in this field is longstanding. It started in the

1980s with the training of ships’ officers on fishing vessels, then turned to support for artisanal

fishing, the conservation of fisheries resources and South-South cooperation. For the period 2010-

2015, Japan based a project in Agadir with a view to supporting the small pelagic species resource

management capacities. The financial commitment under this project is not known.

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PART 2: ANALYSIS OF THE FISHERIES SECTOR

1.1

OCEANOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MOROCCAN EEZ

Exclusive Economic Zone

Morocco has two coastlines: one bordering the Mediterranean and the other the Atlantic.

The Mediterranean coastline bordering the south of the western part of the Alboran Sea and

extending over a distance of about 500 km from east to west, from Saïdia at the border with Algeria

to Cape Spartel, at the southern entry to the Straight of Gibraltar. In the Mediterranean, the area of

the Moroccan continental shelf (up to the 200 m isobath) is approximately 5 600 km

The Atlantic coastline is nearly 3 000 km long, from Cape Spartel in the north to the border with

Mauritania in the south, of which 1 100 km along the Western Sahara (from Cape Juby to Cape

Blanc). The area of the continental shelf off this Atlantic coast is approximately 117 000 km

, of

which 54% bordering the Western Sahara.

Table 8: Distribution of the areas of Moroccan continental shelf to the 200 m isobath (according to Belvèze and Bravo de

Laguna, 1980)

Portion of coastline

Cape Spartel - El Jadida

El Jadida - Cape Ghir

Cape Ghir – Cape Drâa

Cape Drâa – Cape Juby

Cape Juby – Cape Blanc

TOTAL

Continental shelf (km

)

14 950

14 050

10 120

15 180

62 650

116 950

Continental shelf (%)

100

Off its Atlantic coastline (from Cape Spartel to Cape Blanc), Morocco also has an EEZ estimated at

over one million km

. Legally, the Moroccan territorial waters and exclusive fishing zone were

extended to 12 nautical miles in 1973 and an exclusive economic zone of 200 miles was

established off the Moroccan (Atlantic) coastline in 1981. According to the information obtained,

the border with the Mauritanian EEZ to the south has been defined, but disagreements exist on the

delimitation with Spain for the Canaries in the Atlantic and certain islands in the Mediterranean.

1.2

Hydrological conditions of the Moroccan Atlantic coastline

Along the Moroccan Atlantic coastline, from Cape Spartel (35° N) to Cape Blanc (21° N), the

average circulation of the surface waters is dominated by the Canary current in the direction north-

east/south-west. The combination of this general displacement of the waters and the north-east

trade winds, which are the dominant winds, causes upwellings, bringing cold waters rich in nutritive

salts to the surface, in several places along the ocean coastline. These upwellings, which originate

from sub-superficial layers of the continental shelf, are the main hydrological characteristic of the

Moroccan coastal areas. Their origins differ from zone to zone and are at depths of between 70

and 200 m depending on the extent of the continental shelf in the zone considered.

This hydrodynamic phenomenon of upwelling, which also occurs along the coasts of Mauritania

and Senegambia, is at the origin of the ecosystem of the upwelling of the Canary current.

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This is one of the four major upwelling ecosystems of the planet, which are all characterised by

great abundance of fisheries resources, especially in the form of coastal small pelagic species.

Under the effect of the seasonal displacement of the Azores anticyclone, the Saharan depression

and the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), the north-east trade winds appear off Gibraltar in

the summer and further south in the winter. This seasonal shift in the trade winds is reflected in the

position and intensity of the upwellings, which move from the north in summer to the south in

winter.

To the north of Cape Bojador, the upwelling is seasonal and occurs between the months of March

and August; from Cape Bojador to Cape Blanc, it is almost permanent and is particularly active in

the spring. To the south of Cape Blanc, the upwelling is again seasonal. It occurs from October to

June along the coasts of Mauritania; and from December to May alongside those of Senegal and

Gambia.

Figure 6: Location and seasonality of the coastal upwellings in North-West Africa (according to Roy 1992 and Maus

1997, in Ould Taleb Sidi, 2005)

Five principal areas of upwelling have been identified along the Atlantic coast of Morocco and the

Western Sahara. These are, from north to south:

•

the Larache region;

•

from Cape Cantin to Cape Ghir;

•

from Cape Drâa to Cape Juby;

•

from Cape Bojador to Dakhla; and

•

from Cape Barbas to Cape Blanc.

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Figure 7: Location of the main areas of upwelling along the Moroccan Atlantic coast (according to Orbi et al., 1992;

Makaoui et al., 2001)

On the continental shelf, the enrichment in nutritive salts of the surface waters (euphotic layer) is

responsible for high levels of biological production in the coastal area. In each area, primary

production varies with the seasonal fluctuations in the intensity of the upwelling. Moreover, it is

largely conditioned by the width of the continental shelf. A wide continental shelf in fact increases

the residence time of the resurgent waters near the coast and in this way favours the retention and

development of the plankton populations in the coastal area. It is to the south of Cape Juby, in the

areas where of the resurgence of deep waters rich in nutritive salts are almost permanent, that the

primary phytoplanktonic production is the highest.

Phytoplanktonic production is the first link in the trophic chain extending to the top predators via

zooplankton (secondary production), invertebrates and fish. In this meshed and complex network,

the coastal small pelagic species (sardine, sardinella, anchovy, horse mackerel, mackerel) occupy

intermediate layers and constitute abundant stocks, the fluctuations in which depend to a large

extent on the spatio-temporal variability of the hydrodynamic upwelling phenomenon.

The extremely favourable oceanographic conditions, especially along the coastal areas of the

regions to the south of Cape Juby, explain the very strong fisheries potential of the Moroccan zone

and especially the abundance of small pelagic species.

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THE MOROCCAN FISHERIES SECTOR

This section of the report presents information relating to the fisheries sector operating in the

national EEZ, including marketing and processing.

2.1

National fishing fleet

2.1.1 Structural data

The national fishing fleet can be divided into three separate categories: deep-sea vessels, coastal

vessels and artisanal vessels. There is no precise legal definition of these categories in fisheries

law. However, the National Fisheries Office (ONP), which is responsible for the modernisation of

the fleet, considers artisanal vessels to be less than 5 GRT and coastal fishing vessels to be

between 5 and 150 GRT. The vessels with a higher tonnage are the deep-sea vessels.

This situation does not appear to have posed any problem so far, while the three categories of

vessels show very clear-cut characteristics. However, the appearance of coastal fishing vessels

engaging in on-board freezing (37 out of nearly 2000 vessels of this category) is starting to make

the demarcation from deep-sea vessels difficult to establish.

The situation of the fleet registered in 2008 by home port is summarised in the table below. In total,

the Moroccan fleet is composed of more than 18 300 fishing vessels, 84% of which are artisanal

vessels, 14% coastal vessels and 2% deep-sea vessels. 82% of the fleet is based in ports on the

Atlantic coast. The capacity expressed in gross registered tonnage is nearly 300 000 GRT, of

which nearly 50% is concentrated in the deep-sea segment, 40% in the coastal segment and 10%

in the artisanal segment. The total engine power of the deep-sea fleet and the coastal fleet is not

far short of 1.2 million KW, of which 40% in the deep-sea segment and 60% in the coastal

segment. The engine power of the Moroccan fleet is equivalent to the power of the Italian fishing

fleet, which is the largest fleet of the EU Member States and exceeds the combined power of the

Spanish or French fishing fleet. The tonnage capacity cannot be compared on account of the

different units taken into account (GRT in one case, GT in the other).

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Table 9: Situation of the registered Moroccan fishing fleet in 2008 by port. Source: DPM

Deep-sea fleet

Number

Mediterranean

Tangier

Asilah

Larache

Kenitra

Rabat

Mohammedia

Casablanca

El Jadidia

Essaouira

Safi

Agadir

Sidi Ifni

Tan Tan

Laayoune

Boujdour

Dakhla

Atlantic

TOTAL

451

5 014

146 043

16 002

458 343

1 995

2 562

1 224

96 940

117 600

6 345

570 516

707 146

267

314

93 032

154

14 586

2 821

1 250

271 558

836

51 840

9 650

21 355

72 471

1 441

6 780

7 327

27 956

GRT

Number

567

353

128

232

351

342

121

Coastal fleet

GRT

20 660

14 563

623

5 576

4 727

121

2 906

12 306

3 461

4 248

13 554

22 417

1 624

6 027

3 473

136 630

87 038

4 444

38 301

29 947

391

18 874

69 201

22 222

24 921

87 776

121 547

8 943

31 276

19 291

Artisanal fleet

Number

2 752

376

104

205

338

205

270

253

1 648

624

1 098

1 457

496

183

443

1 829

3 089

12 618

15 370

At regional level, the deep-sea fleet is clearly concentrated around Agadir (60% of the capacity of

this segment), with Casablanca, Tan Tan and Tangier as other important centres. The southern

region (maritime districts of Laayoune, Boujdour and Dakhla) has only a few registered industrial

vessels. In 2008, no deep-sea vessels were registered in the Mediterranean.

The coastal fishing fleet is concentrated between Tangier and Agadir, with 18% of the capacity at

Tangier, 12% in Casablanca, and 35% between Safi and Agadir. Only 4% of the vessels of the

coastal fleet are registered in the ports of the southern region, but there would in fact appear to be

more in operation in these ports (about 300 in Laayoune and 100 in Dakhla). As in Europe, the port

of operations may be different from the port of registry.

The artisanal fleet has a high proportion of its number registered in the ports of the southern region

(42% of the Atlantic artisanal fleet), with Dakhla as the main port of registry (24% of the national

Atlantic fleet). The other two major hubs are El Jedida (13%) and Agadir (12%).

There is a difference between the registered fleet and the fleet deemed to be active, i.e. that of the

vessels which have obtained a fishing licence. In 2007, 329 deep-sea vessels were considered to

be operational, as opposed to 449 registered (73%), 1 816 coastal vessels out of 2 544 (71%) and

14 225 artisanal vessels out of 15 428 registered (92%). The data for 2008 are not available. The

main explanation for the difference is the unavailability of fishing opportunities in the managed

fisheries (octopus in particular), revealing overcapacity in certain segments of the fleet.

The development of the deep-sea fleet and the coastal fleet is shown in the table below. The

capacity of the deep-sea segment has remained unchanged overall, which is attributable to the

freeze decided from 2002 in response to the collapse of certain stocks. The capacity of the coastal

segment has increased by about 15%, evidencing new investments in the pelagic fish sector

(seiners in particular). There is no comparable indicator for artisanal fishing. The vessel registration

operations were still in progress in 2004.

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Table 10: Trend in the fishing capacity of the deep-sea and coastal segments between 2004 and 2008. Source: DPM

2004

Number

Deep-sea fleet

Coastal fleet

447

2 495

GRT

144 669

102 311

455 518

618 547

Number

451

2 562

2008

GRT

146 043

117 600

458 343

707 146

Variation 2004/2008

Number

GRT

15%

14%

2.1.2

Typology of the fleets

The deep-sea fishing fleet consists of nearly 75% cephalopod vessels and 20% shrimp vessels.

These vessels are trawlers, with an average tonnage higher for the cephalopod vessels (nearly

350 GRT on average) than for the shrimpers (210 GRT on average). These vessels deep-freeze

their catches on board and make trips lasting several weeks (from 45 days to 2.5 months). Some

of these vessels fish in foreign EEZs (Mauritania, Guinea) under private agreements, especially

during periods of biological recovery. The deep-sea segment also includes some vessels

specialising in large and small pelagic species (twelve vessels) and mixed vessels. There is strong

foreign participation in deep-sea fishing. Spanish operators estimate at about 64 the number of

deep-sea vessels working under a joint venture regime (≈ 15% of the deep-sea fleet). There are

also Chinese joint ventures, the number of which was unobtainable, but which is relatively high.

The coastal fishing vessels are decked vessels measuring between 15 and 25 m, most of which

conserve their catches on ice on board or in refrigerated seawater (RSW). In recent years, a few

coastal freezer vessels have made their appearance (37). In 2007, 1 816 vessels were active in

this category, of which 535 (29%) were longliners specialised in sea-bottom fish, 525 trawlers

targeting species of all types, including cephalopods and crustaceans, 444 seiners (24%)

specialised in fishing small pelagic species and 314 multipurpose vessels. The fishing trips of this

fleet last between 1 and 3 days at most, but longer for the few freezer vessels. The capital invested

in this coastal fleet is essentially of Moroccan origin.

The artisanal fishing vessels are open-deck wooden boats measuring between 5 and 6 m,

essentially passive (lines, pots, nets, octopus pots). Fishing trips are one-day. The capital invested

in the artisanal fishing sector is of national origin.

2.1.3

National fisheries production

National fisheries production came to slightly over 900 000 tonnes in 2008. It is dominated by the

contributions from artisanal and coastal fishing (86% of landings), ahead of the landings from

deep-sea fishing (12%). The Ministry statistics also include the production from on-shore fishing,

with the gathering of seaweed and bluefin tuna fishing using traps as the main productive sectors.

The production of coastal and artisanal fishing has tended to stagnate and even to dwindle over

the period 2004-2008, whereas the landings from industrial fishing have increased significantly, in

parallel with the cephalopod fishing opportunities which had hit a record low in 2004 (the octopus

crisis which led to the landings of this species plummeting from over 100 000 tonnes in 2000 to

10 000 tonnes in 2004, triggering profound restructuring of the sector).

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Table 11: Trend in landings of the Moroccan fleet in weight (tonnes). Source: DPM

2004

Coastal and artisanal fishing

Pelagic fish species

Cephalopods

Demersal fish species

Crustaceans

Shellfish

Deep-sea fishing

Cephalopods

Demersal fish species

Crustaceans

Pelagic fish species

Shore activities

Seaweed

Aquaculture

Coral

Tuna traps

TOTAL

862 390

748 058

16 348

91 985

5 405

594

75 480

13 717

12 045

4 020

45 698

15 454

13 126

975

1 347

953 324

2005

865 378

742 354

28 916

85 957

5 357

2 794

113 215

42 302

18 076

4 158

48 679

16 180

12 812

1 466

1 899

994 773

2006

702 322

579 041

28 466

87 461

5 046

2 308

90 375

35 506

19 378

3 657

31 834

17 165

14 870

291

2 002

809 862

2007

680 255

572 152

26 796

73 392

6 719

1 197

88 457

24 029

21 685

4 014

38 729

15 394

12 373

441

2 579

784 106

2008

779 386

657 478

36 120

79 639

5 501

648

112 312

40 782

17 120

4 104

50 306

11 212

9 037

214

1 959

902 910

In terms of value at first sale, national production is just under EUR 710 million, but with artisanal and coastal

fishing accounting for 53% of the total value (compared to 86% in weight) and deep-sea fishing contributing

43%. The on-shore activities contribute 4% to the value of national fishery product production. The most

significant trend is the increase in the value of the landings of coastal and artisanal fishing (+ 36% between

2004 and 2008 with practically constant tonnages), which is attributable to the adding value more effectively

to the small pelagic species and cephalopods.

Table 12: Trend in value at first sale of the landings of the Moroccan fleet (EUR million). Source: DPM; original data in

MAD

2004

Coastal and artisanal fishing

Pelagic fish species

Cephalopods

Demersal fish species

Crustaceans

Shellfish

Deep-sea fishing

Cephalopods

Demersal fish species

Crustaceans

Pelagic fish species

Shore activities

Seaweed

Aquaculture

Coral

Tuna traps

TOTAL

114.8

69.7

6.5

34.8

3.8

18.8

8.2

3.3

0.7

6.6

409.7

275.6

217.7

12.2

39.8

6.0

24.3

8.7

5.5

0.4

9.7

608.7

246.5

187.1

14.0

41.7

3.6

21.4

9.4

0.8

0.1

11.0

589.1

224.4

145.0

25.5

47.4

6.5

31.0

11.0

1.0

0.1

18.8

567.1

304.0

237.3

17.5

43.6

5.6

28.9

7.8

0.7

0.2

20.2

710.0

276.1

113.5

46.7

97.0

18.9

2005

308.9

114.1

82.9

94.8

16.6

2006

321.2

122.0

80.2

101.6

16.9

2007

311.7

116.8

79.2

96.0

19.4

2008

377.2

130.8

127.6

99.9

18.7

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In terms of species group, it is small pelagic species (sardine, anchovy, mackerel, horse mackerel) which

dominate Moroccan production in weight in 2008, accounting for approximately 80% of the landings of the

national vessels. Demersal species and cephalopods contribute 10% each in weight. As regards the

contribution of the various groups of species to the value of national production, cephalopods make the

largest contribution to turnover with 54% of the value. Small pelagic species contribute 20%, ahead of the

contribution of demersal species (17%)

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

Small pelagic species

Cephalopods

Crustaceans

Demersal fish species

Weight

Value

Figure 8: Contribution in 2008 of the various groups of species to the landings of the national fleet in weight and value.

Source: DPM data

At regional level, the landings from deep-sea fishing are concentrated in Agadir (72% of the value in 2008)

and Tan Tan (18%), with few or no landings in the ports of the southern regions or the Mediterranean.

As regards coastal and artisanal fishing, the table below shows that whereas the landings fell by over 30% in

weight in the Mediterranean but increased by 6% in value, the increase in the landings on the Atlantic coast

was 14% in weight and 19% in value over the period 2006-2008. As regards the southern region (from

Tarfaya in the north to Labouirda in the south), the landings in the ports or landing areas for artisanal fishing

(fish landing sites or fishing villages) have risen by 16% in weight and 25% in value, i.e. more quickly than in

the ports of the northern and central region of the Atlantic coast (11% in weight and 12% in value). In 2008,

the southern region accounted for 59% of the landings of the coastal and artisanal fleets on the Atlantic

coast and 51% in value.

Table 13: Trend in landings by large regional blocks in weight and value Source: DPM data

2006

Tonnes

Mediterranean

Atlantic

of which southern ports*

Other Atlantic ports

* : from Tarfaya to Labouirda

48 814

653 508

380 813

272 695

M€

27.6

293.6

143.4

150

2007

Tonnes

40 191

640 065

318 867

321 198

M€

27.1

284.5

113.8

171

2008

Tonnes

33 757

745 627

442 050

303 577

M€

29.2

348.0

179.1

169

Change

Tonnes

-31%

14%

16%

11%

M€

19%

25%

12%

As regards the southern ports, most of the landings are concentrated in the sites where there are ports able

to handle the vessels of the national coastal fishing fleet (Laayoune 86% of the landings in weight, Dakhla

8%) specialised in small pelagic species (seiners, trawlers). In value, the major contributions of artisanal

fishing at certain sites give a different breakdown, with 43% of the turnover of the national coastal and

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artisanal fleet in the southern region landed at Laayoune, 11% at Dakhla, but 13% at the artisanal site of

Ntirifit and 11% in that of Lassarga (near Dakhla). Laayoune is the principal national port for landings from

national artisanal and coastal fishing.

2.2

Foreign fishing fleet

[DELETED]

2.3

Summary: fishing fleets in the Moroccan EEZ

[DELETED]

2.4

Aquaculture

Aquaculture is still in its infancy in Morocco. As shown in the table below, production has never

really taken off and remains very marginal (less than 1 000 tonnes) compared to the fisheries

production (close to one million tonnes).

Fish farming (bass, sea bream) is of interest in the Mediterranean area. The attempts made here

have been similar to the production techniques in Greece or Turkey (sea cages), but have failed

essentially on account of insufficient mastery of the technologies (hatcheries, prophylactic

treatments). Farming of bivalve molluscs (oysters and mussels) requires simpler extensive farming

technology and national production is starting to develop. Morocco has some prime sites for

breeding shellfish, including Dakhla Bay and the Knefiss lagoon in the south of the country. It was

possible to visit some installations which are growing spat imported from Europe for resale on the

local market, which is more remunerative than the European market. The quality of the waters of

Dakhla Bay means that it takes about a third of the time to grow an oyster to its commercial size

than it does in Europe.

Table 20: Trend in aquaculture production in Morocco in tonnes. Source: DPM

Sea bream

Bass

Eel

Oyster

Meagre

Mussels

Other

TOTAL

2004

350

370

160

975

2005

332

845

243

1467

2006

240

291

2007

362

441

2008

181

214

Aquaculture has hitherto never been considered a public policy priority. The possible sites have

been poorly identified in view of the other coastal activities and there are no national technological

research and development capacities or any real support structure within the Ministry. This

situation is likely to change in the near future. The new Halieutis strategy has in fact adopted the

princople of support for the development of this sector with production by 2020 of 200 000 tonnes

of various specifed including shellfish, flatfish and meagre. An agency specialised in the

development of the sector will shortly be established with the initial tasks of identifying the sites

and techniques, defining the regulatory framework and the incentive measures to propose to

investors. Morocco will also acquire research and development expertise through the INRH.

2.5

Land-based industries

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