International Conference on Cephalopods Winds up
Morocco, Economics, 10/24/2001

The international conference on cephalopods and pelagic fish wound up here Tuesday a two day meeting that debated topical issues related to fishery industries and means of containing dangers threatening small pelagic fish.

The conference, attended by some 400 officials, experts, businessmen, fishery professionals, and professionals from the fish processing industry and fish marketing sectors from some thirty countries in Africa, America, Asia, and Europe, discussed the situation of sea resources, new processing techniques and means to preserve fish quality and tap new markets.

The conference, co-sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), provided fishery professionals with the opportunity to explore cooperation, investment and partnership opportunities and to trade expertise.

In 2000, Morocco produced more than 910,000 tons of fish worth 6.5 billion Dirhams (about $600 million). Sea products exports during the same year earned Morocco more than $1.0 billion, and represented 16 % of the volume of the kingdom's overall exports.

The sector provides jobs to more than 2 million persons and the 2000-2004 social and economic development plan provides for the production of 1.5 million tons of fish per year, a value added of 13 billion DH (about $1.18 billion) and export returns of 14 billion DH (about $1.27 billion).

The plan, which expects domestic consumption to be raised to 12 kg per year per inhabitant, provides for an overall investment of 7.7 billion DH (nearly $700 million), with the private sector injecting 5.1 billion DH of the amount (more than $463 million), in addition to the creation of 40,000 new jobs.

With national territorial waters extending over 1.2 million KM2 and with a 3,500 km long sea coast, Morocco has huge sea resources and harbors over 840 fish species. It is ranking first as a fish producing and exporting country in Africa and in the Arab World.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco-WB talks in Algiers   (10/23/2001)
  International Conference on Cephalopods Opens in Agadir   (10/23/2001)
  King Mohammed launches development projects in Kalaat Seraghna   (10/20/2001)

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