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Friday, March 29, 2024
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The value of fish landings in the port of Laayoune reached more than 720.58 million MAD during the first half of 2021, an increase of 4% compared to the same period last year, according to data provided by the National Fisheries Office (ONP).


The value of fish landings in the port of Laayoune has reached more than 720.58 million dirhams during the first half of 2021, an increase of 4% compared to the same period last year, according to data provided by the National Fisheries Office (ONP).
This increase was achieved despite the decline in the volume of landings of marine products to 80,375 tons during the first half of 2021, against 128,993 T a year earlier, explained to MAP the regional director of the National Fisheries Office (ONP) in Laayoune, Khatari Ezaroili.


He added that the decline in landings, especially for pelagic fish, is mainly due to poor weather conditions recorded during this period.


On the other hand, landings of white fish, cephalopods and crustaceans have experienced a clear increase of 21% tons in the first half of this year to be 22,228 T, against 18,427 T during the same period last year, noted Mr. Ezaroili.


According to him, the increase in these landings has had a positive impact on the turnover of this type of fish which has climbed 30% over a year to reach more than 506.76 MDH.


The director of the ONP in Laayoune stressed that the marine fisheries sector is considered one of the main engines of socio-economic growth in Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, a region with enormous maritime potential, noting that this sector is the largest employer in the region, through the creation of thousands of direct jobs, but also indirect.


This is the recruitment of sailors for vessels of artisanal and coastal fishing, in addition to hiring workers for the units of recovery of seafood and other related industries that are located in the town of El Mersa where the port of Laayoune, he continued.


Mr. Ezaroili said that this place of choice that now occupies the sector of marine fisheries in the socio-economic dynamics is the result of efforts made by the State in terms of realization of large-scale infrastructure to develop these maritime products, including the development of ports of Laayoune, Boujdour, Tarfaya, Dakhla and Lamhiriz.


It is also the construction of new generation fish markets equipped with the latest equipment and technology to ensure compliance with international standards and norms in this area to promote the competitiveness of seafood in the region, he noted, recalling the creation of fishing villages that have helped improve the living conditions of sailors through the promotion of their income.


These factors make the port of Laayoune the first national maritime platform in terms of volume of landings of fish, especially for artisanal and coastal fishing, but also in terms of turnover, said the regional director of the ONP.


He said that the products of coastal and artisanal fisheries, marketed in 2020 at the port of Laayoune, represent 25% of the volume of fish landings at national level and 23% of their value.


This development has had a positive impact on the income of the municipality of El Mersa, which has become over the years a key economic pole that attracts more investment for the region, he said.


According to Mr. Ezaroili, these revenues have enabled the municipality of El Mersa to achieve in recent years flagship socio-economic projects on the upgrading of its urban infrastructure and improving the living environment of residents of this territorial community.


-News on Western Sahara/Corcas

 

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