Morocco's illegal driftnet fishing fleet has more than doubled to 846 vessels in the past two decades, threatening Mediterranean fish stocks and potentially disrupting European seafood supply chains, according to a new report.
The investigation by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) found widespread violation of national and international fishing laws in the Alboran Sea, a key source of swordfish for European markets.
"With the use of illegal nets more than doubling, from 370 vessels in 2004 to 846 in 2024, this threatens the rich marine biodiversity of the Alboran Sea," said Steve Trent, CEO and founder of EJF.
Morocco ranks as the EU's fourth-largest fish products supplier by value. The investigation revealed that nearly all Moroccan swordfish catches are exported, with Spain receiving 79% of exports before re-distributing much of the catch to other EU markets, particularly Italy.
The report highlighted a shift from industrial vessels toward smaller wooden boats operating without oversight. Field visits to five Moroccan ports in August and September 2024 confirmed the active use of driftnets, which have been banned in Morocco since 2010 and are restricted under various international agreements.
Market impact
The findings could affect European seafood supply chains, as Italy represents 84% of Spanish swordfish exports by value, the report said.
Previous attempts to eliminate driftnet fishing, including EU-funded buyback programs that provided €1.25 million ($1.33m) annually until 2019, have largely failed.
Local fishing communities cited economic hardship and insufficient support for transitioning to alternative fishing methods as key factors behind continued driftnet use.
"Nowadays, working at sea doesn't provide enough to live on," one Moroccan fisher told investigators. "The catch is so scarce that you can't even cover your expenses for fuel, bait, fishing gear, and everything else."
The EJF called for stricter import controls by EU member states and increased support for fishing communities to transition to sustainable practices.
"The EU and its member states, particularly Spain and Italy, need to take the responsibility of closely inspecting the imports," said Jesus Urios Culianez, ocean campaigner for EJF.
Driftnets, which can stretch for kilometers, pose significant risks to protected species, including whales, sea turtles, and sharks. When abandoned, they can continue to trap marine life for years while contributing to plastic pollution.
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