Cephalopod fishery probes prospects in light of EU departure

The Moroccan cephalopod association (ACM) convened early this week in Agadir a meeting to probe prospects for the high-sea fishery in light of the European fleet pullout, after Morocco refused to renew a fisheries agreeement with the European Union.

The meeting focussed on prices and marketing of catches, mainly octopus, whose prices collapsed in Japanese markets because of excessive supply. Biological rest and fishing stoppage prevented commercial catastrophe but only delayed effects, said an ACM release.

A commission was appointed to liaise with the fishery department for an updated management scheme taking into account the pullout of the European high-sea fleet.