23 Jul 2007 - Rabat, Morocco
– The Moroccan government has brought into
force a tough law that will punish fishermen
who continue to use driftnets in its waters.
WWF congratulates Morocco on this strong action
against illegal and destructive fishing in
the Mediterranean Sea.
Driftnets are fishing nets which drift with
the tide or current – buoyed up by floats
or attached to a boat – and can stretch for
up to 14km long. A wasteful and destructive
fishing gear, they are known to cause the
accidental death or injury of many marine
species.
A WWF report has revealed that some 3,600
dolphins and 23,000 sharks are killed annually
by driftnets in Moroccan waters alone.
Under the new measures, fishermen caught
using the destructive nets in Morocco will
face up to a year’s imprisonment or heavy
fines. Confiscated nets will be destroyed,
ensuring that the banned gear will not be
sold in other countries. Compensation will
be provided to Moroccan fishmen who give up
their nets, and will enable them to invest
in more sustainable activities.
This new law follows the announcement earlier
this year that money from the EU-Morocco Fisheries
Partnership Agreement would help fund the
phasing out of Morocco’s driftnet fleet.
“WWF applauds Morocco for cracking down on
driftnet use by its fishing fleets,” said
Dr Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries at WWF
Mediterranean.
“Only by such a hard-line approach across
the Mediterranean as that demonstrated by
Morocco can we stop the destruction of vulnerable
marine species which continue to be ravaged
by driftnets."
Though illegal, driftnets are still widely
used across the Mediterranean Sea. WWF is
urging EU fleets in the Mediterranean to follow
Morocco’s lead in stopping this destructive
practice.
Gemma Parkes, Communications Manager
WWF Mediterranean
