Morocco will count on its own resources in Fisheries

Morocco has opted for an approach to count on its own means to manage and exploit its sea fisheries, said here Wednesday Moroccan fisheries minister, Thami Khyari.

The minister who was speaking at the ministerial meeting on "a code of conduct for responsible fishing," held by the Food and Agriculture Organization, stressed that Morocco has taken important measures to define new rules of access to sea resources for Moroccans, on the basis of limits and monitoring fishing capacities.

He cited, in this regard, the adoption of a satellite-control system, supported by radars, with the aim of rationalizing fishing efforts and reaching efficiency in fishing operations in Moroccan territorial seas. He added that Morocco has also registered all sorts of fishing fleets (coastal, traditional and industrial) in order to follow up their activities and movements and be able to take the appropriate re-structuring decisions, when needed.

Khyari went on that environment preservation measures are also needed. Actually, he stressed, in addition to its sea protection measures, Morocco is planning to set forth a law that abides by international conventions.

Regarding Morocco's efforts in fish culture, the minister said efforts are centered on developing an environment-friendly activity likely to constitute a source of food and revenues.

Morocco is bound by a fisheries agreement with the European Union that will expire in end 1999. Morocco has announced that it will not renew the covenant and that it will seek, instead, new forms of partnership with the European Union.