A purse-seine resistant to the dolphins

The results of the experimentation of the new purse-seine in the port of Al Hoceima are positive.

The tests were carried out during three fishing trips on the Raiss Marzouk fishing boat.

The new nets, unlike traditional ones, has been able to resist to the dolphin attacks, despite small losses in catch, which are still not significant. The use of the new nets has recorded in the port of Al Hoceima the quantities of catches that have not been reached for a long time.

However, the President of the Modern Shipowners’ Association of the port of Al Hoceima said that it is not possible to assess, at the moment, the effectiveness of the new purse-seine. In fact, the attacks of dolphins in the summer are very limited, while they occur much more frequently in winter.

The tests are carried out as part of an agreement between the Ministry of Fisheries and the representatives of shipowners and fishermen, to provide purse-nets in ports affected by dolphin attacks. These experiments will be subsequently carried out in the ports of M’diq and Nador.