HRH Prince Moulay Rachid seeks to intensify efforts in maritime development

Beni Ensar, July 18, 2007 – His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, an heir to the Moroccan throne, is stepping up his efforts to secure a greater development and implementation of a comprehensive long-range maritime development.

In this context, His Royal Highness gave his royal blessing to the project of Center for Maritime Training and Education aimed to enhance regional competence in the fisheries discipline, to contribute in breaking the isolation of fishing communities, to improve employment opportunities and living conditions of fisherpersons, to educate about the integrated strategy as a tool and resource for rural development and in specific instances to make an impact on the national economy.

His Royal Highness went on to emphasize the importance to be placed on the essentials and methods that errand the sustainability of liable fishing, the empowerment development that guarantees the decentralization of main supply management and development influence of local society, the increase of nationwide human and institutional capacity at all ranks for a sustainable and equitable fishery capital management and development, with the summarizing and consolidating past achievements.

His Royal Highness also noted that attempts to achieved sustainable fisheries could positively contribute to the socio-economic development of the Kingdom and to change the socio-economic landscape of fishing rural community. Underling the horizontal integration approach, the emphasis must be placed on the development of the fishing communities and not only the fishing sector.

His Royal Highness concluded that the sustainable development of maritime can be meet only with education based on an integrated approach to economic, societal and environmental development.

Prince Moulay Rachid leads the field, continues to increase construction of Moroccan coastlines, focusing in particular to principles of good governance, development of economically and socially sustainable, environmentally safe and responsible fisheries, while providing stable economic and social conditions for all those involved in the fishing activities.

Related article: http://kingofhearts.canalblog.com/archives/2007/06/15/5309677.html#comments

Comments

[raghada]

Prince Moulay Rachid is doing some outstanding work for development of our coastlines.

I think prince is very right on his judgment on maritime development. I think we can profit on long term time.

[Ari]

Last year, I happened to proof read and translate a paperwork/report prepared by a semi-government body in Malaysia on fisheries.

What I remember from the research and the income (and projected income) statistics, one of the most important conclusions taken was to enhance the aquaculture industry, for reasons, among others:
- it has large international market;
- it is easy to transport/export in a "fresh" condition, hence maintaining the quality; and
- it provides more stable income for the fishermen in the rural areas.

And of course, they come up with plans for strategic training and subsidy/govt loan for the fishermen to start up aquaculture business.

I don't know whether the plans work now, it is not what I do for living, as I said, I happened to proof read the paperwork/report.

But I think the knowledge is worth sharing here because from my google result, I found a pdf report on Morocco's fisheries production statistics online (I don't know what year). It's here: http://iodeweb1.vliz.be/odin/bitstream/
1834/593/1/Coa_cou_504.pdf

From one of the statistics, Morocco produces about one third of marine fish catch but only less than 1% aquaculture fishes in the whole of the African continent. Perhaps something can be done in that area.

Just an unlearned opinion from an unlearned person :-)

I can't help but salute HRH's efforts - be it global or local. Never before a leader inspired me as much as HRH does. So please forgive me, I know I have no business poking my nose into this issue :-)

PS: Disclaimer - The paperwork/report mentioned above is a public document so the legal "Secrecy" provision does not apply (Oh yes, always watching my back, hehe...)