Morocco
Our work
Global Fishing Watch works with Morocco, particularly the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, to address key priorities in fisheries management and vessel information in line with the framework of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM).
Through a series of discussions, we have collaboratively identified several areas for cooperation with Morocco, focusing mainly on enhancing fisheries management using robust scientific evidence and data. As this work unfolds, we will also maintain support for Morocco’s broader efforts around the sustainable use of its marine resources through policy development and enhanced monitoring capabilities.Â
Morocco has demonstrated a strong desire to team up with Global Fishing Watch and integrate spatiotemporal fishing effort data to help improve the management of industrial and small-scale fisheries and advance the designation and monitoring of marine protected areas (MPAs). Our long-term vision is to achieve more effective and sustainable management of national waters through the application of our tools and Morocco’s knowledge and expertise.
Global Fishing Watch is dedicated to supporting Morocco by providing data-driven insights to strengthen the designation, management and enforcement of MPAs. These efforts contribute to Morocco’s progress towards the 30×30 conservation target and help fulfill international goals set by the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement.
Highlights
Our engagement with Morocco has involved a wide range of stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the National Fisheries Research Institute, local academic institutions and nongovernmental organizations.
Marine protection: Supporting effective design and conservation measures
We are assisting Morocco in developing effective conservation measures and promoting awareness of remote sensing tools to support the establishment of area-based conservation processes, including the creation of new protected areas. This includes revising management plans as needed to reduce human impacts, ensure compliance and protect vulnerable species and habitats.
Operational support: Improving internal processes and decision making
Global Fishing Watch aims to provide Morocco with comprehensive data visualizations that incorporate ecological, human and socio-economic information. These visualizations will form a foundation for shared situational analysis and problem-solving, guiding more informed decision-making processes within Morocco’s fisheries management.
Capacity development: Ensuring technology adoption
We are committed to building Morocco’s fisheries capacity by training its personnel in the effective use of Global Fishing Watch tools. This contributes to the country's broader goal of improving fisheries management and advancing sustainable marine governance.
About Morocco
Intense fishing pressure has depleted fish populations in the Mediterranean and threatened valuable ecosystems, prompting Morocco to prioritize the management of key fisheries such as hake, red mullet, sardines and anchovies. Despite existing regulations, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing persists, further compounded by limitations in data availability.Â
Capacity building, especially in data analysis, remains critical to Morocco’s fisheries management strategy since fishing is a cornerstone of its coastal communities, where traditional techniques remain widely practiced, providing jobs and sustaining local livelihoods.
Morocco actively participates in international efforts for sustainable fisheries as a member of GFCM, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas and other regional and global bodies working towards the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 30×30 target.