Morocco's Sardine Fishing Revenue Jumps 66% by End of August
Sardine landings in Morocco rose 66% to nearly 394,200 tonnes by the end of August 2026, up from 237,800 tonnes a year earlier, according to the State Secretariat for Maritime Fishing.
Sardine landings in Morocco rose sharply by 66% to reach nearly 394,200 tonnes by the end of August 2026, up from 237,800 tonnes over the same period last year, according to data from the State Secretariat for Maritime Fishing. The value of these landings climbed by a similar margin, nearing 1.22 billion dirhams, compared to 735.1 million dirhams in 2025.
A broader recovery for the national fishing sector
The improvement was not limited to sardines: Morocco's total coastal and artisanal fishing production reached 786,000 tonnes worth 12.5 billion dirhams by the end of August 2026, up 6% in volume and 4% in value compared with the same period last year.
Sharp differences between ports
The rise in sardine revenue varied significantly across the ports of Morocco's southern provinces, which accounted for most of the growth:
| Port | Volume increase | Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Laayoune | 67,000 tonnes | +76% |
| Dakhla | 60,000 tonnes | +222% |
| Tan-Tan | 38,000 tonnes | +110% |
| Sidi Ifni | 14,000 tonnes | +104% |
Why this figure matters
This rebound in sardine revenue matters greatly for Morocco's blue economy, one of the world's top exporters of the species, which directly supports thousands of jobs in coastal fishing, canning and export activity in the southern regions. The recovery comes after months of concern following a virus outbreak that threatened Morocco's sardine stocks, making these figures a positive signal of the sector's resilience. Laayoune and Dakhla remain at the center of this dynamic, helped by proximity to rich fishing grounds and expanding port infrastructure in the southern provinces.