In response to a growing shortage of sardines, the government has announced a complete ban on the export of frozen sardines starting February 1, 2026. The move is aimed at protecting increasingly fragile fish stocks and ensuring that local markets have enough supply to meet demand.
During a recent parliamentary session, Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries Zakia Driouich addressed rising concerns over fish prices and pressure on key marine species. She defended the government’s current strategy, pointing out that prices remain “relatively reasonable,” given the impact of several factors—unpredictable weather, high operating costs for fishing vessels, logistical challenges, and profit margins taken by middlemen.
Driouich also stressed the administration’s ongoing efforts to keep markets stocked with seafood while cracking down on speculative practices. With sardines and mackerel making up about 80% of the country’s fish stocks, she underlined the urgent need to protect these pelagic species.
The decision to halt exports was taken jointly with the Ministry of Industry and is seen as a direct response to the current supply crisis. Officials hope the suspension will ease pressure on the domestic market and help stabilize prices in the short term.
Looking ahead to Ramadan, Driouich also announced plans to increase the availability of frozen fish for local consumers during the high-demand period.
The measure comes as industry professionals sound the alarm over the severe downturn in sardine landings. According to the National Fisheries Office, total sardine catches fell by 46% between 2022 and 2024—from 965,000 to just 525,000 tons. The National Union of Canning Industries (UNICOP) warns that the crisis is threatening some 35,000 jobs, with processing plants operating at half their usual capacity.
Meanwhile, the government continues to overhaul the sector with a push toward modernization. So far, 68 wholesale fish markets have been fully digitalized, offering improved transparency and traceability. The digital upgrade also extends to fishing zones, where boats are now monitored via satellite.
Additionally, a new radio-frequency identification (RFID) system has been rolled out to track authorized artisanal fishing boats. This tech-driven transformation is also reaching into marine science, coastal management plans, and the seafood supply chain, marking a broader effort to make the industry more sustainable and resilient.
