Booming, the blue economy is now one of the pillars of the Moroccan GDP. Dakhla, the pearl of the kingdom's south, is hosting from December 4th to 6th, the first edition of the African Forum for Fisheries and Aquaculture Industries, Seafood 4 Africa 2024.
Chaired by Hassan Sentissi El Idrissi, head of the National Federation of Fisheries Processing and Valorisation Industries (FENIP), this meeting brought together a plethora of political leaders, experts, diplomats, and stakeholders in the fishing sector from 33 African countries to discuss the future of the blue economy on the continent.
During his opening speech, Sentissi highlighted the multiple challenges facing African marine resources: pressure on fish stocks, climate change, and pollution. Aware of these issues weighing on the sector's growth, he advocated for sustainable and innovative fisheries management, while highlighting aquaculture as an essential solution to reduce pressure on marine ecosystems and generate economic opportunities. “We are here, in Dakhla, the pearl of Africa, to build together a bold and sustainable vision for the blue economy of our continent”, he declared.
The forum gathered key figures, including Ali Khalil, Wali of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Ryad Mezzour, Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade, as well as Musa Drammeh, Gambian Minister of Fisheries. Representatives of African and international organisations, such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), also took part in the event.
Thus, this meeting allowed for the presentation of structuring projects to strengthen economic sovereignty and regional integration, among the most striking: the creation of an African fisheries products exchange to facilitate trade, and the establishment of a continental maritime credit to support innovation and finance companies in the sector.
Furthermore, the development of an African industry for manufacturing maritime equipment and sustainable shipyards was among the points on which officials insisted. The establishment of an African centre of excellence for training and research in the blue economy is also among the demands.
Moreover, Sentissi highlighted Morocco's successes thanks to The Strategy for the development and competitiveness of the fishing sector, known as “Halieutis”, adopted in 2009 under the impetus of King Mohammed VI. This programme has modernised infrastructure, improved value chains, and promoted sustainable fishing. “This success is the fruit of a royal vision and a collective commitment”, he affirmed.
For his part, Yanja El Khattat, President of the Dakhla Oued-Eddahab Regional Council, highlighted Dakhla's growing role as a regional hub for scientific research, the processing of fishery products, and sustainable fishing. He also highlighted the strategic importance of the Dakhla Atlantic port for African and international trade.
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