Developed by the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) with the support of the FAO, this development model is part of the “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030” strategy. It highlights innovative and agile approaches aimed at rethinking current practices, evolving traditional methods and adopting production systems that are resilient to the effects of climate change.
Speaking on this occasion, the Director General of ANEF, Abderrahim Houmy stressed that this development model which will now constitute the Agency’s new strategy in terms of continental fishing and aquaculture, is based on four foundations. namely, contribution to food sovereignty, conservation of aquatic biodiversity, creation of decent jobs and contribution to the social and economic well-being of local rural populations.
Its deployment will revolve around several axes, notably the strengthening of the conservation of aquatic biodiversity through action plans and scientific partnerships, the development of the structuring of value chains relating to aquaculture, commercial fishing and recreational fishing, support for the organization and professionalization of the private sector and socio-economic and associative actors, as well as institutional support from ANEF and its partners, he continued.
According to Mr. Houmy, the deployment of this model will provide Morocco with a productive and resilient inland fishing and aquaculture sector which will contribute to the conservation of aquatic ecosystems, while ensuring stable income for the benefit of local communities, in addition to promoting private investment and aquaculture entrepreneurship.
Through this approach, ANEF is part of an international and national strategic reference framework, since this development model will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. It is also in line with FAO’s global strategy called “blue transformation” which aims to promote, manage, market and consume aquatic foods, he said.
This innovative approach reflects ANEF’s desire to explore and exploit the potential of continental aquatic resources, with the aim of transforming existing practices, prescribing nature-based solutions, promoting sustainability and finally stimulating development. socio-economic linked to inland aquaculture and fisheries, he added.
For his part, the FAO Representative in Morocco, Jean Senahoun indicated that this new model aims to contribute to the strengthening of the sustainable exploitation of resources and the technical capacities of fishermen and aquaculturists, to the modernization of management systems of structures and entities attached to ANEF and the effective integration of fishing associations in the management of the sector, the development of a product development strategy, and the integration of research and new technologies as an essential lever for development.
The partnership between FAO and the Department of Water and Forests goes back a long time. This is an old fruitful collaboration within the framework of various projects serving the sustainable development of Moroccan continental resources, he welcomed, noting that this cooperation continues today within the framework of the implementation of the new strategy “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030”.
The ordinary session of the Inland Water Fisheries Committee was marked by the presentation of a portfolio of innovative and diversified projects scheduled for the 2024/2025 season and which are part of the operational implementation of the new fishing model. development of inland fisheries and aquaculture 2023/2030.
The committee examined, during this session, the assessment of the achievements of the past fishing season, as well as the progress of the various projects relating to the development of the inland fishing and fish farming sector. It also adopted the regulatory measures for the 2024/2025 fishing season, in particular the opening and closing dates of the fishing periods for the different types of fish species.
Likewise, several rapid action projects were presented during this workshop. They concern in particular the development of aquaculture in desert regions, support for commercial fishing cooperatives, support for social entrepreneurship and support for income-generating initiatives for women in local communities.
Several of these projects are in the implementation phase in the field. They are carried out with the support of several technical and financial partners of ANEF, notably the European Investment Bank (EIB), the German cooperation agency GIZ, the French Global Environment Fund (FFEM), the cooperation Canadian through the Canadian Society for International Development Cooperation SOCODEVI. Other projects are being finalized with other technical and financial partners.