Essaouira Port reports rise in coastal fishing landings

Data from the National Fisheries Office indicates a significant increase in the volume of coastal and traditional fishing landings at the Port of Essaouira. By the end of August, landings reached 12,816 tons, representing a 27 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year.

Despite the rise in volume, the commercial value of these catches saw a decline. Through August, the total value stood at 144.2 million dirhams, a 25 percent decrease from the 193.5 million dirhams recorded during the first eight months of the previous year.

Specific species showed varying trends: - Pelagic fish landings rose by 39 percent to 10,007 tons, with a value of 40.3 million dirhams. - White fish landings increased by 70 percent to 1,313 tons, valued at 41.041 million dirhams. - Cephalopod landings dropped significantly, with volume down 64 percent to 323 tons and value down 68 percent to 23.7 million dirhams. - Crustacean landings decreased by 13 percent to 834 tons, with a value of 38.1 million dirhams.

On a national level in Morocco, coastal and traditional fishing landings reached 723,490 tons by the end of August, a 6 percent increase, while the total value rose by 1 percent to over 7.43 billion dirhams.