A Socioeconomic Study of the Coastal Fishing Fleet in the Al Hoceima Port (Moroccan Mediterranean)

Abstract

Coastal fishing in the Moroccan Mediterranean plays a key role in the fishing industry's economy. This activity is an important source of jobs and income for many coastal communities in the Al Hoceima region of the north-western Mediterranean. This study aims to investigate the state of socio-economic knowledge of the fishermen of the coastal fleet in the region of Al Hoceima, using a diagnosis based on the analysis of socio-economic indicators. The data were obtained by a structured questionnaire with 90 fishermen, 30 captains, and 15 ship owners. The analysis of the data collected revealed, from a social level, a high rate of illiteracy and a low level of education among the fishermen. The economic weight and value of trawlers are significant. Despite the high commercial value of the species, the net income is not satisfactory, so the wealth produced by these fisheries does not have a real impact on the quality of life of the fishers, which does not guarantee the sustainable development of this activity.