Arab meeting on fisheries adopts Algiers declaration

An Arab meeting on investments and trade exchanges in the sector of fisheries and fish farming held in Algiers June 11-13 adopted a declaration on the protection of sea resources and promotion of investments.

The Algiers Declaration calls the Arab states to promote a rational and environment-friendly fishing to ensure food security to the peoples of the region.

Participants voiced backing to the Arab union of fish producing countries and hailed its efforts to standardize laws regulating the fishery sector in the Arab states, set up Arab marketing mechanisms and promote investments.

On the sidelines of the meeting, under the label "together for our food self-sufficiency," several bilateral cooperation accords were signed between participating countries. The accords are meant to bolster exchanges and set up joint ventures in the fishery industry and sea products marketing.

The meeting, attended by officials, experts and representatives of international organizations, also discussed inter-Arab cooperation in matters of vocational training and scientific research, highlighted investment opportunities in the Arab world and identified problems hindering the promotion of investments and trade exchanges in the fishery sector in the Arab states.

The Moroccan delegation to the meeting was led by minister of fisheries, Said Chbaatou.

Figures disclosed during the meeting-- cosponsored by the Arab Agricultural Development Organization and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-- showed that the Arab World currently produces 27 million tons of fish annually, ie. 30% only of the existing resources.

The world fish output is estimated at 133 million tons annually. Some 40% of this production comes from aqua-culture.