More than 50,000 visitors walked in the aisles of the Fair; Coverage of the event was provided by more than 200 journalists from Morocco and from around the world; More than 300 exhibitors, including 46% international exhibitors; Around 40 nationalities were represented this year

Organized under the High Patronage of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI, Halieutis Fair (http://www.SalonHalieutis.com) has just closed its 5th edition with an extremely positive balance of 50.000 visitors, 200 journalists and 304 exhibitors. Almost half of them were international from 40 countries were present from 20 to 24 February. These figures represent a real record in the history of the most important event dedicated to sea fishing and aquaculture in Africa.

The inauguration ceremony of Halieutis Fair was held by Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests. This ceremony brought together a large delegation of ministers representing Angola, Spain, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Russia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and finally Norway, country of honor of this edition.

During the Halieutis Fair, Mr. Akhannouch held several important bilateral meetings, such as the one organized with the Spanish Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the one held with the Russian Deputy Minister of Agriculture and with the President of the Russian Federal Fisheries Agency. These exchanges were an opportunity to reaffirm the rich and solid partnerships that Morocco has with these two countries. Several prospects for enhanced exchanges in scientific research and training have also been opened between Morocco and these countries.

Simultaneously, an important convention was signed in Agadir between Morocco and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This convention will strengthen the role of professional organizations in artisanal fisheries as part of the Halieutis national strategy for the development of the sector.

Halieutis has managed to keep all its promises, thanks to a major program of meetings and conferences that confirmed Morocco's strategic position as the leading producer of marine products in Africa and the world's largest exporter of sardines.The news, the stakes and the perspectives of the fishing sector were thus at the heart of the discussions, in a context where the sustainable development of the ocean economy is today at the center of all the concerns.

Reminder of the main indicators of the fishing sector in Morocco:

Production of seafood:

In volume

    • 1.37 million tonnes landed in 2018, for an average annual growth of 2.3% over the period 2010-2018

    • In 2018, fish production accounted for 83% of Halieutis' target for 2020

Value

    • 11.6 billion dirhams realized, representing an average annual growth of 7.2% over the period 2010-2018

exports:

In volume

    • 717158 tonnes in 2017, an increase of 3.6% compared to 2016, for an average annual growth of 5% over the period 2010-2017

Value

    • MAD 22 billion in 2017, an increase of 3.4% compared to 2016. This implies a 9% increase in Morocco's total exports and 45% in agri-food exports

    • The value of seafood exports, for its part, recorded an average annual growth of 7% over the period 2010-2017. It thus totals 74% of the target set by Halieutis in 2020.

Direct jobs:

At sea: 108000 in 2017

On land (recovery industry and aquaculture): 97,000 in 2017, which represents 84% ​​of the target set by Halieutis for 2020.

Production of recovery units:

    • About 800,000 tons produced in 2017, compared to nearly 570,000 tons in 2010, for an average annual growth of 5% over the period 2010-2017

GDP (fisheries, aquaculture and industry):

    • MAD 17.1 billion in 2017, representing an average annual growth of 10% over the 2007-2017 period, corresponding to 78% of Halieutis' target for 2020.