Morocco bans temporarily shellfish catching in southern coasts

Morocco said Monday it will ban the catching of shellfish on its southern coasts, stretching from Tarfaya down to Lagouira, from June through November.

The Moroccan fishing authorities say the ban aims to preserve and safeguard the country's depleting shellfish stocks.

The shell-fish grown in fish farms will however continue to be commercialized during the ban period.

Morocco decided last year to ban sardines fishing in its southern shores between Dakhla and Boujdour, for a renewable 1-year period, to protect its endangered halieutic resources.

Nearly 500 European trawlers operate in the Moroccan waters under the fishing accord binding Morocco to the European Union.

Morocco will not renew the fisheries accord with the European Union when it expires in 1999 in a bid to protect its halieutic resources.