Sahara Coastal - Data Sources

Periodic scientific surveys are conducted by INRH and are major source of monitoring data for tracking population trends and evaluating fisheries management plans. Both bottom trawl and acoustic surveys are carried out with research vessels (RV) from Morocco and partner countries.
Demersal species are surveyed onboard RV ‘Charif El Idriss’ using a stratified random sampling design and a ‘spanish’ type trawl with 20 mm cod-end mesh. A total of about 100 fishing hauls of 30’ duration are performed during the surveys which are carried out in spring and autumn annually. The data collected include catch statistics in weight and numbers, and length measurements are performed on a set of selected species.
As part of the Nansen regional Programme, hydro-acoustic surveys are carried out each year onboard the RV ‘Dr FRITJOF NANSEN’ along the Moroccan coast. Thus, estimations of absolute biomass of major small pelagic species are produced each survey.