According to WWF the Moroccan government has brought into force a tough law, which 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.
Under the new measures, Morocco will destroy all its driftnets - thereby ensuring that the banned gear is not simply sold on to other countries. Instead, compensation will enable Moroccan fishermen to invest in more sustainable activity - whilst up to a year’s imprisonment or heavy fines will be sentenced to those caught still using the destructive nets.
“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,†said Dr. Sergi Tudela, Head of Fisheries at WWF Mediterranean.