Russian scientists have conducted research on water resources in the area of Morocco

The expedition of scientists of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography on the scientific vessel Atlantniro to study the productivity of small pelagic fish of the Atlantic has ended.

The research covering the waters in the area of Morocco were undertaken in order to organize fishing of the Russian fleet in the Atlantic fishing zone of Morocco.

The scientists' work was aimed at obtaining information on the indices of replenishment of exploited populations of small pelagic fish (European sardine, Eastern mackerel, European and West African horse mackerel) and the spatial distribution of these fish depending on environmental conditions.

Employees of the Atlantic branch of VNIRO performed an accounting trawl survey on seven spatial strata. Scientists have collected a massive amount of data to assess the qualitative and quantitative species composition of phyto-, zoo-, ichthyoplankton, as well as to conduct parasitological and technological studies.

The main feature of the 2021 survey recorded by scientists was the actively developing upwelling, which spread from Cape Safi in the north to Cape Blanc in the south. Comparison of the results of a number of surveys indicates an increase in upwelling since 2015, which is manifested in a decrease in temperature, salinity of water, the content of oxygen dissolved in it and an increase in the concentration of phosphorus.

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Russian-Moroccan cooperation in the field of marine fisheries has a long history. The survey was carried out in accordance with the decision of the first session of the Russian-Moroccan Fisheries Commission, which took place within the framework of the bilateral intergovernmental agreement concluded in 2020.

Based on the results of scientific research last year, within the framework of the above agreement , an annual quota for Russian fishing in the amount of 80 thousand tons was established. The following composition of catches by groups of fish species was agreed:

- sardine, sardinella - 23%;
- mackerel, horse mackerel, anchovy - 75%;
- by-catch – 2%.

Fishing can be carried out by no more than 10 units of fish-freezing trawlers. Fishing within the quota allocated for the first year of the current Agreement of 2020, Russian vessels began on July 27, in August-November, 8 Russian vessels participated in the fishing. The fishing situation was generally favorable, the total Russian catch as of December 1, 2021 amounted to about 55 thousand tons.

VNIRO Press Service