Morocco, Mauritania poised to strengthen fisheries cooperation
Morocco and Mauritania are poised to enhance their cooperation in the sector of fisheries as both sides share the same commitment to inject fresh momentum into collaboration on shared interests related to the sector.
Means to give a new impetus to this cooperation were reviewed at a meeting in Rabat Monday between Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fisheries, Zakia Driouich, and Mauritanian Ambassador to Morocco, Ahmed Ould Bahia.
These talks follow the recent meeting in Casablanca between King Mohammed VI and visiting President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani that paved the way for a deeper and more dynamic partnership and signaled a potential unprecedented boom in bilateral relations in the months ahead.
Zakia Driouich and Ahmed Ould Bahia lauded the deep and historic ties binding the two nations, and recalled that the first fisheries agreement was signed in 2000.
Their talks centered on key areas of collaboration, including maritime training, scientific and technical research, aquaculture, resource management and development, as well as the processing and marketing of fishery products.
They also addressed strategies for combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, enhancing maritime rescue capabilities, and fostering the exchange of expertise and best practices
Talks further covered agreements to host Mauritanian students in Moroccan training institutions specializing in fisheries, promote economic cooperation, and facilitate networking among stakeholders in the two countries. Both parties agreed to fast-track the implementation of the March 2022 cooperation agreement through a meeting of the joint sectoral commission, as well as inviting Mauritania to the 7th edition of the Halieutis Fair.
Mechanisms for addressing shared challenges, such as the sustainable exploitation of small pelagic species, implementing biological rest periods for certain species, and preserving marine resources in the face of environmental impacts on ecosystems were also brought up during the talks.
