Morocco, Japan expand four-decade fisheries partnership

Morocco’s Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries,Zakia Driouich,met with Japanese Ambassador Nakata Masahiro in Rabat on Tuesday to discuss expanding their four-decade partnership in the fisheries sector amid evolving global maritime challenges.

During the meeting,Driouich highlighted Japan’s position as “the sector’s first and most committed donor,” acknowledging the solid foundation of cooperation between the two nations. The officials reviewed past achievements while exploring new collaborative opportunities shaped by changing ocean governance and environmental conditions.

The partnership has yielded significant projects,including the Al Hassan Al Marrakchi oceanographic research vessel completed in 2018 with Japanese financial support. Currently,both countries are developing a next-generation fishing village in Souira K’dima (expected through 2027) and expanding Morocco’s aquaculture sector as part of its blue economy strategy.

The two sides expressed interest in revitalizing the PRECAF II trilateral cooperation initiative,which brings together Morocco,Japan,and several African countries to support fisheries training and capacity-building across the continent.

Both parties emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination within international organizations addressing marine resources and ocean-related issues,recognizing that global maritime challenges require collective responses.

Preparations are underway for the next annual consultation on the Morocco-Japan Fisheries Agreement,scheduled to take place in Tokyo later this year.

The meeting concluded with both sides committing to rejuvenate their partnership through innovative approaches to address contemporary challenges in the maritime sector,building on their long-standing relationship while adapting to new realities in global fisheries management.