Preparation d'un plan d'exploitation de la pecherie de petits pelagiques au Maroc dans la zone centre- atlantique : analyse bio-economique de la pecherie

Like other large fisheries of small pelagics in the world, the Moroccan fishery of the Central Atlantic can be considered as a "fishery at risk" insofar as a collapse of the stock is a possibility that cannot be completely ruled out. Unfavourable modifications to the natural environment aggravated by a too intensive exploitation of the resources can bring on such a collapse. Up until the beginning of the 80s, the level of exploitation of the sardine stock in the Central Atlantic area remained moderate. This moderation is more a reflection of the profitability constraints that the seine fleet is experiencing than a deliberate choice, except as far as foreign ships are concerned. The opening of the port of Tan Tan since the end of 1981 is likely to make profound changes in fishing. The Moroccan seining vessels can now fish in a zone where the sardine stock is available more regularly over a longer period of the year and where yields are about two times greater than they are in the traditional area between Safi and Agadir. On the one hand, the exploitation of the resources has intensified, except for a significant reduction of the Spanish effort for which there are no data available. On the other hand, the cost per landed tonne has dropped. The current catch capacity of the Moroccan fleet seems largely sufficient when comparing the outlets for fresh, canned and frozen. An additional increase of catch capacities would lead to a less than proportional increase of intake that, in the current state of technologies and markets, would only find outlets in by-products. Even with a very noticeable reduction of the Spanish effort, an improvement of the Moroccan fleet's net profits following an increase of its catch capacity cannot be expected; the opposite seems more likely. A limitation of the overall catch capacity of the Moroccan fleet at its current level (close to 12,500 GRT) accompanied by a perceptible reduction of the Spanish effort in the Central Atlantic area would make it possible to maintain the exploitation of the sardine stock at a moderate level and facilitate restoring the profitability of the Moroccan fleet, which the high yields obtained in the Tan Tan area suggest are possible. (This analysis disregards the advantages associated with agreements in terms of fishing that may take place between Morocco and Spain/the EEC. The Spanish seining vessels' access in Morocco's South Atlantic fishery could be a substitute for the reduction of their activity in the Central Atlantic area). Determination of the number and types of ships authorised to exploit small-pelagic resources in the Central Atlantic area will depend upon the specific objectives that the authorities intend to assign to this fishery. The limitation of the overall catch capacity of the fleet constitutes a management technique, the effectiveness of which for attaining the fixed objectives depends upon the mode of operation: institutional mechanisms implemented, choices in terms of allocation, transfer and revoking of licenses, quality of scientific and technical data available, and how these data are used. Progressive improvements to the system of limitation can be brought in as experience is gained. However, in every instance, the existence of an effective capability for control is essential, all the more so because a substantial part of the resources is exploited by foreign ships that do not conduct their landings on Moroccan soil.