Small Pelagic Fishing on the Mediterranean Coast of Morocco

The sardine fishery, on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, is practiced by coastal fishing boats. Fishing is practiced mainly at night. The tidal cycle lasts 12 to 15 hours, in which 2 to 3 fishing operations are carried out.

The vessels use seine nets with the help of a lamp (called “lampara”), used mainly in the Mediterranean, to concentrate pelagic fish (especially sardines) before starting the fishing operations. In recent years, this activity has undergone some problems caused by attacks of some species of cetaceans, including in particular the common dolphin “Tursiops truncatus” on fishing nets.

This phenomenon, very common in the Mediterranean, generates a drop of profits in the sector, especially in the periods of the year when this phenomenon is relatively high. This means a drop of capture and additional costs for repairing damaged nets.