Morocco has temporarily closed its southern fishing zone for small pelagic species after scientists detected an unusually high concentration of juvenile sardines that authorities say must be protected to preserve future stocks, the State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries said on Thursday.
The measure suspends fishing in the southern zone, known as Stock C, through the end of June for all vessels licensed to catch small pelagic fish.
The decision follows monitoring by the National Institute for Fisheries Research, which reported a “notable dominance” of juvenile sardines in the area. Many fish are yet to reach sexual maturity. The finding was supported by catch data from vessels operating since the season opened on February 16.
Officials attributed the development to hydro-climatic fluctuations, particularly temperature changes, that have disrupted spawning cycles and stock renewal. An acoustic survey identified a coastal strip where juvenile sardines are concentrated at depths of less than 50 meters.
Authorities warned that intensive harvesting of immature fish could undermine the stock’s capacity to regenerate.
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