Zakia Driouch Chairs the Board of Directors of the National Fisheries Office and Approves the Work Plan and Budget for 2026
Zakia Driouch, the Secretary of State responsible for marine fisheries, chaired a meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Fisheries Office in Rabat on Wednesday, dedicated to approving the work plan and draft budget for the institution for 2026.
During this session, the Board reviewed the marketing results of coastal and traditional fish products up to the end of November 2025, with quantities marketed through the National Fisheries Office’s network, which includes wholesale fish markets, first-sale points, and wholesale markets, reaching approximately 1.21 million tons, valued at around 10.28 billion dirhams.
Recorded data indicated a decline of 13 percent in volume and 4 percent in value compared to the same period in 2024, which the Secretary attributed to decreased landings, particularly from vessels equipped with the “RSW” system, due to a drop in catches.
Despite this decline, secondary sales showed a slight improvement in value, reflecting the dynamism present in wholesale markets. In this context, the Board approved the work plan for 2026, which aims to continue modernizing the institution and enhance the sustainable structure of the fish value chain, along with supporting the gradual transformation of the office.
The 2026 work plan focuses on several strategic axes, primarily the development of marketing infrastructures for fishery products, including the establishment of a new-generation market in Sidi Ifni and the expansion of markets in Boujdour, El Aaiún, and Nador, as well as completing the construction of wholesale fish markets in Fez and Nador. The program also includes the establishment and operation of modern ice production units to strengthen the refrigeration chain and support professional activities.
Furthermore, the plan aims to generalize the digitization of auction sales in unmodernized markets and to complete the implementation of the national system for classifying fish products (ETPQ), alongside continuing to expand the traceability system for products destined for wholesale markets, which will contribute to enhancing transparency and improving service quality.
On another front, the work plan places special emphasis on supporting coastal and traditional fishing through the activation of provisions of the agreement on enhanced driftnet fishing in the Mediterranean, supporting cooperatives, and promoting local products.
In conclusion, Board members stressed the need for all stakeholders to engage in accompanying the structural initiatives launched by the National Fisheries Office, emphasizing that the modernization of infrastructure and the digitization of processes require collective mobilization, effective governance, and ongoing dialogue with sector professionals.
Thanks to the actions undertaken and those planned for 2026, the National Fisheries Office renewed its commitment to enhancing its contribution to the sustainable development of the fisheries sector, improving the quality of services provided to professionals, and supporting value creation at the local and national levels.
