Volume of Morocco's coastal, conventional fishery production drops, yields up

Morocco's national production in coastal and conventional fishery netted 892,865 tons in 2002, against 978,519 in 2001, posting an 8% drop, while yields inversely increased by 36% in 2002, with US$ 340 million, and about US$ 254 Mln the previous year, says Morocco's national fisheries office (ONP).

Unloading in the Atlantic coast accounted for 96% of national production, with 864,532 tons and 93% of the whole catches, which is worth about US$ 323 million, adds the same source.

Mediterranean fish markets contributed up to 3% in terms of volume (28,333 tonnes) and to 6% in yields, with US$ 23 million, ONP goes on.

The volume of pelagic fish captures decreased by 12%, that's 754,427 tons in 2002, against 861,444 tons a year earlier, but posted a rise in terms of yields, with US $ 119 million, against US$ 113 million the previous year.

The production of white fish turned up by 20% in terms of volume and by 14% in value, that's 88,879 tons, against 73,970 tons in 2001.