Morocco’s fisheries department clarifies measures governing octopus fishing

Morocco’s fisheries department has entered the debate over how octopus fishing is managed, saying some recently circulated claims contained inaccurate information that could cast doubt on approved decisions.

In a statement, the department said national marine resources are managed according to scientific and technical standards. Decisions governing the fishing sector, it said, draw on reports and data provided by the National Institute of Fisheries Research.

The department framed the measures as an effort to protect marine resources, ensure their sustainability and reduce the risks of overexploitation. It also said the policy goes beyond environmental concerns by taking into account the social and economic dimensions of the fishing industry.

According to the statement, the measures are intended to maintain stability in fishing activity, preserve employment and protect the interests of workers throughout the wider economy linked to fishing. For octopus stocks specifically, the department said it had adopted measures to protect young octopus and breeding areas. It referred to Ministerial Decision No. 08/2026, dated Aug. 17, 2026, which provided for the closure of a...