On September 30th, Morocco and Mauritania signed the first executive program for 2023 and 2024 in Nouakchott, to implement the agreement in the field of fishing and mariculture for the same two years, which covers several areas.
The program focuses on scientific and technical research, fisheries management, training, aquaculture, construction and maintenance of ships, and infrastructure. The latter was supervised by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and forestry, Mohammed Sadiki, the Minister of Fisheries and Maritime Economy Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Abidine Ould M’Aayif, and the presence of the Kingdom’s Ambassador in Nouakchott Hamid Chabar.
With regard to scientific research, the two sides agreed, in particular, to monitor and evaluate the marine and coastal environment, develop and harmonize systems for monitoring fishing information and oceanography, exchange experiences and strengthen capacities in the field of research and its management.
As for fisheries management, the two countries agreed to exchange information and results related to the implementation and update of fisheries management plans currently in operation, evaluate their effectiveness, and consult and coordinate at the stages of preparing fisheries management plans.
The executives of the two parties benefited mainly from the short-term training, through participation in the courses organized between the two countries, the exchange of experiences, and coordination in the field of safety and maritime rescue.
Apropos the valuation and sanitary control of fishing products, the two sides agreed, mainly to exchange experiences and knowledge in the field, develop channels for the exchange of commercial and economic information related to fishing products, as well as developing a plan for the implementation of the protocol signed on April 16th, 2019 between the National Bureau of Sanitary Inspection of Fishing for fish farming products and the National Institute for Research in Marine Fisheries.
Concerning aquaculture, both countries agreed on cooperation between the relevant national institutions entrusted with the development of aquaculture projects.
In light of this cooperation, it was agreed that the Moroccan National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture would support the Mauritanian Agency for the Development of Continental Fisheries and Fish Farming, providing it with the necessary Moroccan expertise in this field.
Regarding the ship’s construction and maintenance field, it was also agreed to exchange experiences in the field of establishing, operating, and rehabilitating fishermen’s villages, equipped unloading points, as well as markets for the sale of marine products.
On the same occasion, a cooperation protocol was signed between the National Institute for Research in Marine Fisheries and the Mauritanian Institute for Ocean Research and Fisheries to enhance scientific and technical cooperation in the field of marine science and fisheries.
The protocol defined areas of cooperation, exploitation of data, results of joint scientific research programs, and financing. Moreover, a follow-up committee composed of representatives of the two parties is also formed to ensure its follow-up and implementation. The agreement between the two institutes will last for five years and is automatically renewed.
The program signed is a clear sign Mauritania favors Morocco as the most reliable partner in the region, that is because of its experience in the field of fishery and logistics and international relations in the field of marketing of marine products as well as fish manufacturing industries.