Morocco is reviewing the Halieutis Strategy
Morocco hosted the second high-level conference of the Blue Belt Initiative (BBI) on Tuesday. This high-level conference held on the theme “For the sake of scientific, economic and ecological integration for the benefit of the blue economy” was marked by the participation of political figures, donors, institutional, economic and social actors, scientists from 34 countries and 10 countries. international organisations.
In his opening speech, the Minister of Agriculture, Marine Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests recalled that “profound changes have taken place in the world since the first edition of the high-level conference of the BBI initiative held in Agadir in February 2019”. . Mohammed Sadiki noted that the fisheries and aquaculture sector “plays a key strategic role in laying the foundations for the sustainability of food systems”, hence the importance of “prioritizing its sustainable development and allocating substantial resources to it”.
“Every day that passes without action to effectively protect the oceans, the irreplaceable potential for economic growth, social and cultural development contained in marine spaces is simply jeopardized and human survival and well-being weakened. Today, it is clear that the sustainable development of humanity is highly dependent on the health of the oceans, seas and marine resources.
Muhammad Sadighi
Results of the Halieutis Strategy
For the minister, “the blue economy presents a new opportunity that perfectly matches this spirit of sustainability and sustainability, which is supported by the United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development today”. A government official noted that issues related to fisheries and ocean sustainability are “common to all regions of the world,” explaining that the situation in Africa is “worrisome due to increasing and severe pressures on stocks.” It is very important to understand the issues related to the ocean economy.”
Mohammed Sadiki, in this sense, returned to the Halieutis Strategy launched by Morocco in 2009 for the development and competitiveness of the fishing sector, recalling that it “supports about 3 million people and accounts for about 40% of agricultural exports. This strategy “recommends the fishing sector stimulated a new dynamic of investment and radically changed the landscape of the sector with the modernization and improvement of all links of the value chain of its components in 13 years”.
As for the results, the minister talked about “sustainable growth in the sector”, “creating more than 20 management plans controlling more than 95% of catches”, as well as “creating a regulatory and operational system”. fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and systematically monitor fleets operating in national waters. It is also about “the establishment of pilot marine protected areas that allow us to consider new perspectives in terms of the conservation and recovery of halieutic stocks” and “the practice of sentinel fishing that allows us to combine the efforts of fishermen.” ocean observation and sustainability”.
“Total commitment” to work with partners
Mohammed Sadiki also recalled the “significant investment in fisheries research-innovation and strong contributions that are bearing fruit today” in addition to the “implementation of an aquaculture development strategy that has enabled the emergence of many ecologically responsible and economically viable aquaculture projects”. . better knowledge and strict monitoring of the marine environment, to guide the fisheries sector towards development and sustainability.
For Morocco, “on the one hand, the role of fisheries and aquaculture products in food security and nutrition and the need to act urgently to ensure their sustainability, underlines the importance of mobilizing efforts, sharing experiences and cooperation and partnerships for good development. experiences at regional, continental and global levels” , – the minister continued, insisting on “Morocco’s desire to promote this cooperation initiative”. “A desire based on the solid foundations of experience in the development of the fisheries sector through the National Halieutis strategy,” he said. And to reiterate Morocco’s “shared commitment” to work with partners to “achieve sustainable, sustainable, low-carbon development goals for the well-being of our peoples.”
Born after the Paris Agreement (COP21), BBI was established by Morocco in 2016, during COP22, together with several partners. It provides a platform for ministerial dialogue and decisive political sponsorship, to strengthen priority regional cooperation in Africa, and aims to accelerate coordinated responses to the key challenges of climate change adaptation and mitigation, ocean protection and the need for sustainable development of fisheries and fisheries. aquaculture.
