Over 5 Tons Daily per Ship: A Strong Start to the 2026 Octopus Fishing Season
The winter season for octopus fishing in 2026 has recorded a strong start since its first days, confirming a notable abundance of this resource along the national coast, despite the adverse weather conditions affecting fleet activities, according to the Ministry of Fisheries.
In a statement, the Ministry highlighted that initial data from landings, recorded just two days after the season opened, reflect a promising nature for this campaign, characterized by ample and high-quality catches. In the southern region of Dakhla, large sizes of octopus (T1, T2, and T3) dominated, with a yield exceeding 5 tons daily per ship in the high-seas fishing fleet, showcasing exceptional operational performance.
Traditional fishing in Dakhla also recorded positive results, with a predominance of size T3 and a noticeable increase in prices, exceeding 120 dirhams compared to 110 dirhams during the same period last year. Coastal fishing vessels operating in the south saw landed sizes range from T3 to T5, with prices fluctuating between 110 and 120 dirhams.
The Ministry confirmed that these results reflect the effectiveness of the management and planning measures adopted, based on scientific foundations. They also highlight the positive dynamics of this strategic catch, both biologically and economically, promising encouraging prospects for professionals in the sector within a framework based on sustainability and responsible resource valuation.
In this context, it noted that scientific assessments conducted by the National Institute for Fisheries Research revealed a significant improvement in the biomass of octopus, which allowed for an increase in quotas allocated to different segments of the fishing fleets. Notably, there was an increase of between 27% and 31% in quotas for the southern Boujdour area compared to the 2024 season, indicating a healthy stock condition.
The winter season for octopus fishing 2026 officially launched on January 1 along the national coast, following the publication of ministerial decisions outlining the conditions for resuming fishing activities after a biological rest period of three and a half months, from September 16, 2025, to December 31, 2025.
As part of proactive management, the Ministry decided to prohibit fishing within an eight-nautical-mile zone between Boujdour and Tantan for one month, from January 3 to February 2, 2026, to avoid catching juvenile octopus densely found in this area and to protect the stock, in accordance with recommendations from the National Institute for Fisheries Research.
The statement concluded by emphasizing the adoption of strict monitoring measures in coordination with local authorities, the Royal Gendarmerie, and the Royal Navy, assigning relevant Fisheries Departments and Offices to ensure strict compliance with the ministerial regulations governing the octopus fishing season during winter 2026.
