The Moroccan Confederation of Industrial Pelagic Fishers (COMAIP) and the Ministerial Conference on Fisheries Cooperation among African Atlantic Coastal States (COMHAFAT) signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday during the Halieutis Fair in Agadir, marking a key milestone in the sustainable management of African marine resources.
Initialed by the president of COMAIP, Mohammed Lamine Hormatallah, and the Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources of Côte d’Ivoire, the current president of COMHAFAT, Sidi Tiemoko Touré, this agreement aligns with the Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI aimed at developing and promoting the Atlantic Africa, as stated in a communiqué.
This alliance aims to harmonize sustainable fishing practices at the regional level based on three major axes: strengthening good practices and regulations to combat overfishing and ensure the preservation of marine ecosystems, networking sector stakeholders to promote knowledge sharing and the development of solutions tailored to the continent’s challenges, and promoting traceability and the valorization of seafood products to enhance the competitiveness of African fishery products in international markets.
Earlier in the day, the COMAIP stand received a visit from the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, who engaged with the shipowners and industrialists who are members of the confederation, according to the same source.
**“Pelagic University”: A space for reflection at the heart of the Halieutis Fair**
On the sidelines of this signing and the visit from the Head of Government, COMAIP organized the first edition of the “Pelagic University” conference series at its stand, bringing together experts, industrialists, and institutions around the major transformations in the pelagic sector.
Held within the largest fisheries event on the continent, this platform offers direct immersion into the realities on the ground. In the presence of key operators and decision-makers, discussions address concrete issues and confront solutions to the challenges of the market and marine ecosystems.
“Pelagic University” aims to be a dynamic space for dialogue and reflection, merging feedback from experience, technological advancements, and sustainability challenges. Its ambition is to structure a reference body of knowledge to support the evolution of the sector, combining operational testimonies, technical analyses, and scientific contributions.
**A common commitment for the future of fishing in Africa**
Through this MoU and this series of strategic discussions, COMAIP reaffirms its commitment to unite sector stakeholders around a common vision, namely a competitive, sustainable, and ecosystem-respecting fishery.