Assahafa.com
Morocco’s Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, responsible for Maritime Fisheries Zakia Driouich and the Ambassador of Japan to Morocco, Kuramitsu Hideaki, signed a Note Exchange agreement, on Wednesday in Safi, Morocco, for the development project of the new-generation fishermen’s village in Souiria Kdima.
With a total funding of MAD 129 million, this project introduces a modern, high-standard new-generation fishermen’s village in Souiria Kdima, 36 km south of Safi.
On this occasion, Driouich praised the “excellent Morocco-Japan partnership in maritime fisheries, guided by the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and Emperor Naruhito, and highlighted their ongoing support for this strategic sector.
She emphasized that the fishing sector, “a strategic pillar of the national economy,” will benefit from this cooperation via this pilot project, which will drive the transformation and modernization of artisanal fishing, support operators, and serve as a model for replication in other regions of the Kingdom.
“The choice of Safi to host this structuring project is no coincidence, as the region’s rich maritime heritage and strong fishing tradition make it a central player in Morocco’s economy.”
For his part, Hideaki expressed his satisfaction with “the fruitful collaborative relations between the two countries in the fisheries sector, which date back to 1979,” noting that this project aims to transform the Souiria Kdima fishermen’s village into a fishing port that combines tourism appeal and safety, to welcome visitors under optimal conditions.
“Morocco and Japan share a common commitment to the sustainable development of fishery resources,” Hideaki said, reaffirming his country’s commitment to “continue supporting the Kingdom in its efforts to modernize the fisheries sector.”
The development project for the fishermen’s village in Souiria Kdima, originally built in 2001 with Japan’s financial cooperation, aims to achieve several key objectives: separating fish flows between professionals and the public, creating new economic activities related to fishing such as ecotourism and local crafts, and enhancing the region’s tourism appeal.
According to data from the Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries, the implementation of this project is expected to enable, by 2029, the landing of fish under optimal sanitary conditions, thereby reducing the risk of contamination.
Additionally, the number of boats stationed outside designated areas will be reduced from 105 to fewer than 5. Meanwhile, more than four commercial units will be established to boost the local economy.
It is worth noting that in 2024, this project directly benefited 1,200 artisanal fishermen, 366 boat owners, and 82 fish wholesalers. Furthermore, production volume experienced significant growth, increasing from 500 tons to approximately 1,964 tons in 2024, with an estimated value of MAD 57 million.
Source: map
