State Secretariat Denies Claims of Fishery Destruction in Laayoune
The State Secretariat for Fisheries has refuted claims contained in an article published Saturday on an online platform, which alleged that coastal fishing vessels in Laayoune are decimating sardine stocks by targeting juvenile fish.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Secretariat categorically dismissed “the lies and fabrications” included in the article.
The statement clarified that sardine fishing by coastal vessels in Laayoune commenced between June 16 and June 27, during which approximately 17,000 tons of sardines were caught. Officials from the Fisheries Delegation in Laayoune and the National Institute for Fisheries Research are reportedly collecting daily samples of sardines.
The Secretariat noted that during this period, satisfactory sizes of sardines were recorded, in line with existing regulations. The highest average size noted was 33 units on June 20, while the lowest was 22 units on June 26.
A central committee under the State Secretariat is conducting regular monitoring of landings in all ports across the country. From June 17 to June 22, this committee observed coastal landings in Laayoune, identifying one violation due to incorrect reporting, but no violations related to juvenile sardines were found.
Regarding Sardine Meal and Oil Production
Concerning the production of fish meal and oil, the Secretariat stated that facilities in this sector only process fish waste sourced from export and freezing units, in accordance with current regulations. Freezing units are allowed to distribute their products based on their commercial arrangements, including to companies involved in fish farming.
The State Secretariat emphasized its ongoing efforts to address the challenges of sustainable fishery management by launching a program aimed at regulating the harvest of small pelagic fish. This program seeks to align fishery resource utilization with stock capacity by setting allowable catch limits and legal size regulations.
The Secretariat reiterated its commitment to strict enforcement of penalties against violations of laws aimed at protecting fish stocks and juvenile aquatic life. It urged the public to obtain information from official sources to avoid falling for rumors or inaccurate news.
Environmental Concerns in Laayoune
The article from the online platform had previously stated that Laayoune is facing an environmental crisis due to the unchecked catching of juvenile sardines by coastal vessels.
The source behind the article claimed that these practices occur openly, sparking concerns about future ecological and social repercussions on fish stocks.
Regarding the fate of juvenile fish, the article suggested that they are often processed into fish meal or used as fish feed.
