Morocco’s coastal and artisanal fisheries posted a decline in both volume and value in 2025, according to data released by the National Fisheries Office (ONP), reflecting weaker overall landings despite gains in some high-value species.
The total value of coastal and artisanal fishery products fell 4 percent year on year to 10.11 billion dirhams (US$1.01 billion), while landings dropped 15 percent to about 1.13 million tonnes.
Performance varied widely by species. The value of shellfish surged sharply, rising more than fivefold, while algae and white fish also recorded increases of 25 percent and 7 percent respectively. These gains were offset by declines in key categories, including pelagic fish, which fell 8 percent in value, cephalopods down 6 percent, and crustaceans slipping 1 percent.
In volume terms, shellfish landings jumped to 956 tonnes from very low levels a year earlier, while algae rose 21 percent to 27,010 tonnes and white fish increased 7 percent to nearly 138,000 tonnes. By contrast, pelagic fish the backbone of Morocco’s fishing sector declined 18 percent to about 910,000 tonnes, while cephalopods dropped 18 percent to just under 50,000 tonnes. Crustacean volumes fell 6 percent.
Atlantic ports continued to dominate Morocco’s fishing activity, accounting for more than 99 percent of total landings. Atlantic landings fell 15 percent to 1.12 million tonnes, with their value down 5 percent to 9.46 billion dirhams. Mediterranean ports bucked the trend, recording a 7 percent rise in volume to just over 15,000 tonnes and a 3 percent increase in value to 651 million dirhams.
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Fisheries play a vital role in Morocco’s economy and food security, providing employment for tens of thousands of people, particularly in coastal and rural communities. The sector supplies domestic markets and supports exports, benefiting from the country’s coastline of more than 3,500 kilometres.
Morocco has stepped up investment in recent years to promote sustainable fishing, modernise port infrastructure and expand aquaculture, as authorities seek to balance the protection of marine resources with economic growth and livelihoods in fishing communities.
