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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.

As climate-related impacts threaten marine biodiversity globally, it is important to adjust conservation efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Translating scientific knowledge into practical management, however, is often complicated due to resource, economic and policy constraints, generating a knowledge-action gap. To develop potential solutions for marine turtle conservation, we explored the perceptions of key actors across 18 countries in the Mediterranean. These actors evaluated their perceived relative importance of 19 adaptation and mitigation measures that could safeguard marine turtles from climate change. Of importance, despite differences in expertise, experience and focal country, the perceptions of researchers and management practitioners largely converged with respect to prioritizing adaptation and mitigation measures. Climate change was considered to have the greatest impacts on offspring sex ratios and suitable nesting sites. The most viable adaptation/mitigation measures were considered to be reducing other pressures that act in parallel to climate change. Ecological effectiveness represented a key determinant for implementing proposed measures, followed by practical applicability, financial cost, and societal cost. This convergence in opinions across actors likely reflects long-standing initiatives in the Mediterranean region towards supporting knowledge exchange in marine turtle conservation. Our results provide important guidance on how to prioritize measures that incorporate climate change in decision-making processes related to the current and future management and protection of marine turtles at the ocean-basin scale, and could be used to guide decisions in other regions globally. Importantly, this study demonstrates a successful example of how interactive processes can be used to fill the knowledge-action gap between research and management., This work was conducted under FutureMares EU project that received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 869300. The Mediterranean Marine Turtle Working Group was established in 2017 and is continuously supported by MedPAN and the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. The work of AC was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “First Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment grant” (Project Number: 2340).

Marine spatial planning and ecosystem based management such as MPA’s has been used as tools to manage human activities, to conserve coastal ecosystems and biodiversity for the sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources. In this study, we focused on establishing a spatial distribution of the fishing grounds used by local fishermen in the projected MPA “Jabal Moussa”, identifying the most important species targeted, the gears used, and the depths of fishing grounds. A survey with 99 skippers was conducted between February and March 2019. Then data collected was analyzed and geo-referenced through geographic information system (GIS). The results identified 16 fishing grounds. Distribution of fishing gears was dominated by the blackspot seabream longline which was the most used gear. The most targeted species was the blackspot seabream. Fishing grounds where blackspot seabream was found had a deep ranging from 95.9 m to 328.9 m. Results of the study will provide managers of the projected MPA with valuable information and data to help the to adopt direct measures that can reduce the pressure on these valuable species, preserve the ecosystem and lead to a sustainable fishing.

Pelagic cnidarians have been observed stranding annually in the Tetouanise Sea, a site of intense human recreation in northwest Morocco. The abundance and size of jellyfish stranded, between January 2018 and December 2020, on the beaches of the Moroccan Mediterranean were investigated. We present data on the temporal and spatial distribution of the species in relation to environmental variables (e.g., sea surface temperature, salinity, chlorophyll and wind direction). We also examined the negative impacts of jellyfish on human activities in the Moroccan Mediterranean. Five species that represented three scyphozoans and two hydrozoans were frequently observed: Pelagia noctiluca, Velella velella, Physalia physalis, Rhizostoma pulmo and Chrysaora hysoscella. Three different models of seasonal occurrence of jellyfish were identified in this study: (1) P. noctiluca appears throughout the year but with a higher frequency during the summer, (2) P. physalis and V. velella appear in March–May and (3) the late appearing R. pulmo and C. hysoscella from July to August. The abundance of jellyfish varied from season to season, but did not differ between sampling sites. Interannual variations in the abundance of jellyfish were not significantly correlated with the environmental factors examined. However, the east wind played an important role in the stranding and formation of hotspots for jellyfish in the Moroccan coast. Continuous monitoring is needed for a more profound knowledge on the jellyfish bloom dynamics and their potential impacts on ecosystem functioning and socioeconomic activities in the Moroccan Mediterranean.

Coastal fisheries constitute an important source of employment and income for many coastal communities in Tangier. However, and despite its importance, there is little information available about their socioeconomic characteristics. Hence, this study was aimed to improve the knowledge about the socioeconomic and livelihood status of the fishermen in the port of Tangier. The work is totally based on a diagnosis of socioeconomic indicators derived from data obtained through a structured questionnaire carried out during 2018 to fishermen of coastal fishing. Fishermen have gaps in education and awareness about the issues related to the sustainability of resources. The great importance of this coastal fishery in the fishermen's household income is observed. In spite of the commercial value of the caught species by coastal fishing, income net profit is somewhat acceptable, and the wealth produced by this fishery has hardly impacted on the quality of the fishers' lives.

Seasonal dynamics of the scyphomedusa Pelagia noctiluca were studied along with their relation to certain environmental factors between the study period that extends from January 2018 to December 2019. During 2018, stranded individuals of P. noctiluca appeared throughout this year, but their high frequency was reported in the summer. While in contrast, P. noctiluca in 2019 was reported in a very low number only during the winter season and had not been detected in the other seasons of this year. The overall results revealed that the inter-annual variations in the abundance of jellyfish were not significantly (P

Tangier city is considered as one of the most important commercial city in Africa as a result of the new construction of its port, Tangier Med. This study evaluated the abundance of micro and macro debris in Tangier beach and their pollution degree. In 2015, a total of 16 samples were collected by season and size between 1 and 5mm. The means of the results in macro debris are: 1651,4 g/season for plastic; 541,82 g/season for lumber/paper; 86,45 g/season for glass; 58,65 g/season for rubber; 42,5 g/season for metal; and 376,25 g/season for Cloth. The fragment presents the maximum rate with 18.75 g of a total of micro debris of 46,277g. The abundance of macro debris is maximum in season 2 (April-June), while the abundance of all types of macro debris is maximum in season 1 (January-March). The micro debris is very tiny throughout all the year.

An epidemiological study on the stings of Pelagia noctiluca was carried out on four Mediterranean beaches in Morocco. Data were retrieved from patients seeking medical treatment after a jellyfish sting. A total of 1321 patients presented with P. noctiluca stings during the summer of 2018. Most of the injuries were observed in persons aged 11–20 years. The stings were located more on the lower (53%) than on the upper limbs (27%). A total of 61% of those seeking treatment were Moroccan tourists, 29% were local residents and 9% were foreign tourists. The main medications provided were antiseptics (54%), non-pharmacological treatments (41%) and antibiotics (4%). The continuing presence of P. noctiluca in the Moroccan Mediterranean makes it necessary to set effective strategies to prevent and minimise their impact.

Rose shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris(Lucas, 1846), is one of the main target species of the trawl fleet working in the western Moroccan Mediterranean ,and an important species of crustacean landings in M'diq port . Despite that, studies on biological characteristics of shrimp in this region are scarce. Hence, this study was aimed to evaluate the length-weight relationships of P. longirostris. Specimens were collected from the coastal trawlers in a monthly sampling over a period of twelve month between April 2017 and April 2018 at M’diq port, western Moroccan Mediterranean, and the length-weight relationship of the shrimp was estimated using linear regression. Results from the present study indicate that the equations of total length TL, carapace length CL, and weight were expressed for females, males, and pooled sexes. The length-weight relationship was determined as W = 0,0000119 × TL2,834, r2=0.932 for total length, and W = 0,00340 × Lc2,312 , r2 = 0.978 for carapace length for pooled sexes. The length-weight relationship showed a negative allometric growth pattern, and the growth exponent (b) ranged from 2.296 to 2.834. The regression coefficient of females, males, and pooled sex were significantly different from isometric growth at P < 0.05.

The existence of floating marine litter in marine environments enhances the potential for the transport of fouling organisms using these substrates as vectors. In this study, we examined the fouling organisms on different types of litter stranded on two beaches of the Moroccan Mediterranean. The study revealed 13 fouling species belonging to 8 phyla (Arthropoda, Bryozoa, Annelida, Mollusca, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Chlorophyta, and Ochrophyta) on marine litter. Rafting vectors were almost exclusively made up of plastics and could mainly be attributed to land-based sources. The most common fouling species were the crustacean Lepas pectinata, Lepas anatifera, Perforatus perforatus, and bryozoan species. More taxa were found on large litter than on small litter. Relative substratum coverage was highest for bryozoan sp. (31.0 %), green algae (29.0 %), Lepas anatifera (21.42 %), Lepas pectinata (17.8 %), and Perforatus perforatus (17.46 %). Our results suggest that the growing generation of plastic litter may enhance the probability of the introduction of non-native species into the Moroccan Mediterranean. Therefore, monitoring efforts are needed to identify vectors and the arrival of novel invasive species in this area.

In this study, based on data collected by citizen science, we studied the abundance, spatial and temporal distribution of marine litter in three beaches of the Moroccan Mediterranean. A total of 14,042 litter items were collected with an average abundance of 0.58 items/m

During the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks became a common type of litter invading many different environments, including tourist beaches. However, the presence of face masks on beaches threatens the marine environment with a new form of plastic pollution. In this study, we monitored the occurrence and density of face masks on five tourist beaches along the Moroccan Mediterranean during five months starting from February until June 2021. A total of 321 face masks were recorded on the five beaches, 96.27% of which were single use. The mean density of face masks was 0.0012 ± 0.0008 m−2. Recreational beaches were the most polluted in the study area. This is related to the important influx of beachgoers on urban beaches compared to resort beaches. With the large number of masks introduced on the beach, we hypothesize that microplastic pollution could increase drastically in the Moroccan Mediterranean in the coming years. Significant efforts are required to reduce this type of waste.

This paper evaluates the production of coastal fishing and fishing efforts through coastal fishery data (landing and effort) at the Tangier port obtained from the National Fisheries Office for the period 2011-2017. The data were entered into the excel application to process and analyze the results. The total number of coastal fishes catchings in Tangier port increased gradually from 2011, with an estimated production of (5,030.8 Tons) and continued to increase in the years (2012– 2013– 2014–2015), the production record respectively (5,813.6 – 5,857.4 –7,611.3 – 9,068.4 Tons). Then the decline in 2016 and 2017 to (6,963.8 - 4,208.1 Tons), where the year 2017 saw the lowest production. Fishing efforts fluctuated between (6,796 Trips and 9,239 Trips) between 2011 and 2017. The minimum effort was recorded in 2013 in 6796 fishing Trips, with fewer boats reaching 1,286, while the maximum effort was recorded in 9,239 fishing Trips in 2015. The average of each CPUE in 2015, the highest 981.54 kg / Trip and the lowest in 2017 worth 543.05 kg / Trip while these values fluctuate in the remaining years. The lowest value in 2012 was recorded at 84,044,677.5 DH to reach a maximum of 167,005,585.5 DH in 2015, and fell again to 111,516,969.5 in 2017.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been created to preserve biodiversity and manage human activities. Unfortunately, many of these MPAs have failed to accomplish their goals because fishermen well-being was neglected. Thus, taking in account fishermen perceptions will undoubtedly contribute to MPAs success and durability. In this paper we focused on assessing fishermen perception of the future marine protected area “Jbel Moussa” situated in northern Morocco. Results showed that the majority of fishermen affirm that the set of this MPA will lead to a reduction in catches and to an increase in costs and charges. They affirm that it will have to be managed jointly with locals according to “top-dow bottom up” management approach to make it reach its goals,this will avoid conflicts likely to occur during the application of the regulations specific to the future MPA. In order to work for the success of the future MPA, fishermen must take part in the management process. The authorities have to organize meetings with fishermen to discuss about benefits, mode of governance, zoning, etc… Knowing all these factors, we can move towards better management of resources, finding a balance between preserving the marine ecosystem and the well-being of fishermen.

Morocco is well known for its attractive Mediterranean beaches, which play an important economic role. With the fast development and growth, these beaches have become more contaminated by marine debris. This paper examined the abundance, composition and marine debris sources on five beaches in the Moroccan Mediterranean during 2019 four seasons. A total of 7839 marine debris were collected from the five beaches with a total weight of 231 kg. The average density of the debris collected was 0.20 ± 0.098 items/m2. Polymer materials constituted the majority of debris found, with a percentage of 71.36%, followed by paper/cardboard (11.50%), metal (5.77%), processed wood (5.34%), cloth/textile (2.51%) and glass/ceramics (1.76%). Human recreational activities were the main source of debris (70.13%), followed by smoking-related (13.98%). Debris density appears to be particularly influenced by beach users. Awareness campaigns are needed for beach users to improve the quality of the beaches.

An epidemiological study on the stings of

The population dynamics and stock parameters of the deep water rose shrimp Parapenaeus longirostris (Lucas, 1846) was investigated from the Mediterranean coast of Morocco. Length-frequency data were collected from landings of coastal trawlers at M’diq Port on the Moroccan Mediterranean coast over a period of 13 months from April 2017 to April 2018. The estimated growth parameters were CL∞ = 52.87 mm, K = 0.39 yr-1 and to = - 0.35 .Total mortality coefficient (Z) was estimated as 3.49 yr-1 while the natural mortality estimated using two different methods was 1.89 yr-1 and 1.36 yr-1 and correspondingly the fishing mortality was calculated as 1.51 yr-1 and 2.13 yr-1. Yield per recruit and relative biomass per recruit analysis showed that the value of current exploitation rate (E) is 0.68 which is higher than the exploitation rate E 0.5=0.36, which indicates that the stock is currently overexploited. Hence it is advised to decrease the present exploitation rate by 50% of the current level to sustain the fishery. Keywords: Exploitation, Mediterranean coast, Morocco, Parapenaeus longirostris , Population dynamics

Artisanal fisheries in Moroccan Mediterranean generally lack management and planning, thus development. Recently, some of these fisheries had received an attention in field of infrastructure, however, there is lake of data on socioeconomic conditions of these fisheries. The main objective of this article is an update of the state of knowledge of socioeconomic of the artisanal fishers, by means of a case study in Belyounech, Fnideq, Martil and Kaa Asras areas, through a diagnosis based on analysis of socioeconomic indicators derived from data obtained through a structured questionnaire. The data analyses revealed there was a high illiteracy rate and a low level of education among fishers. This community of fishers had lack of awareness about the issues related to the sustainability of resources. Despite species of a high commercial value, Income Net Profit is somewhat not satisfactory, thus, the wealth produced by these fisheries have no real impact on the quality of the fisher's lives, hence, do not ensure sustainable development of this activity.

Plastic waste at the coastal wetland in Martil beach in the North-East of Morocco is one of the problems that have appeared recently. This study aims to characterize the marine debris in the coast of Martil during the year 2015. The sampling is seasonally by type and size. The result shows, for the macro debris, the abundance of plastic (57%), lumber and paper (21.93%), cloth and fabric (7.8%), glass (5.42%), metal (4.40%), and rubber (3.4%). Micro debris is also present in the area in several forms such as wood, plants, and others by 75,63%. This was followed by the foam (26,95%), line (7,8%), and the film (1,23%). The seasonal variation (S1: January–March and S3: July to September) are the most polluted months of the year. The sources of marine debris are mainly tourism (beach users), land (run off), and commercial fishing in the four seasons of the year.

This study aims to provide information on some heavy metal concentrations in the muscles of three fish species: Boops boops, Sardina pilchardus, Trachurus trachurus, in North-East of Morocco Market and to evaluate the possible risk associated with their consumption. The concentration of Cd, As, Zn, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Mn and Fe were evaluated in fish tissues by means of the total reflection X-Ray Fluorescence technique (TXRF) [Wavelength Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (WD-XRF)]. The concentration of heavy metal measured in the fish species were expressed as ?g/g dry weight. In the present study, the heavy metals concentration in the muscles of fish species were less than the permissible levels specified for human consumption by the EU, FAO/WHO guidelines. For As it was at the specified limit set by USEPA2000. However, Ni and Mn had the highest level but there is no official limit for these two metals.

Mangrove forest in Yemen is considered one of the most important components of wetlands and as an ecosystem affecting the ecological balance and biodiversity .The target of this study is to analyze the mangrove assemblages on the island of Kamaran, Featuring two species of mangrove trees black mangroves (“Crimea”, Avicennia marina) and red mangroves (“Algendl”, Rhizophora mucronata). This latter is the most widespread on the island. Both species grow indense forests, the study also aims to identify the most important factors contributing to growth and spreading of mangroves. This study is based on field visits, sampling, and physicochemical analysis. The results show that the trees are distinguished in terms of density, propagation, and improvement of soil properties. Avicennia marina has a large ability to grow in soil with varying proportions of sand and clay. Both mangrove species tolerate high salinity values. These results can be used to clarify the difference between mangroves that grow on the islands in areas protected and those that grow on the coasts. They can also contribute to the development of actions aiming to maintain the sustainability of these trees, so they can keep playing their vital role in the ecological balance.

The Moroccan port of Tangier along the Strait of Gibraltar holds a very strategic position biologically, and fisheries and sea turtle populations inevitably interact in this region. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of fishing gear commonly used in Tangier – the driftnet and surface and bottom longlines – on sea turtles in Moroccan waters. Over the 4 years of the study (2003–2004 and 2006–2007), a total of 73 turtles were caught in the driftnets of the 7 vessels studied during 866 fishing days, and 13 turtles in the 4 artisanal longlines vessels evaluated during 593 fishing days. The average estimated catch by the entire fleet using driftnets in the region of Tangier during the years of study is 719 (SD = 543) captures of loggerheads/year and 101 (SD = 57) captures of leatherbacks/year. In the two longline fleets, the average estimated turtle capture in a year was 51 turtles (range = 20–97 turtles; SD = 31) by surface longline and 91 turtles (range = 0–260 turtles; SD = 62) by bottom longline. Drift gillnets appear to have the highest interaction with sea turtles, but new legislation requires that driftnets must be phased out by 2012. However, increasing vigilance will be needed as the port of Tangier plans to expand and increase its capacity and as driftnets are replaced by commercial longlines and other gear types. Given that Moroccan fisheries are impacting sea turtles originating from several nesting populations in the western and eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean, evaluating and mitigating mortality of sea turtles in Morocco and creating a greater awareness for their protection are crucial to the survival and recovery of several nesting populations.

A survey of Vulnerable Barbary macaque Macaca sylvanus populations in the Djebela region of northern Morocco was conducted in October-November 2004 and the species' presence verified in four areas. This macaque occurs in habitat types ranging from matorral (shrub vegetation) to higher altitude fir forest. A total of 89 individuals were observed in nine groups. Comparisons of our survey with the previous one undertaken in the same area in 1980 indicate that group sizes are similar but the total population size may have decreased. We estimate there is a population of 200–300 Barbary macaques in the Djebela. Although some areas where the species is found are now protected, further work will be crucial to safeguarding this species in northern Morocco.

Un muestreo mensual de Orchestia gammarellus (Pallas, 1766) en la laguna Smir (litoral mediterráneo de Marruecos) permitió analizar ciertos parámetros de su ciclo reproductor. Así, la reproducción se manifesta exclusivamente de octubre a mayo (con una breve interrupción en febrero), presentando un largo paro durante el verano, asociado a una fuerte mortalidad entre los adultos. La fecundidad estando también baja: una media de 15 huevos por hembra, es compensada por un sex-ratio de 57% de hembras. Además la longevidad corta, que no sobrepasa los 10 meses, es compensada por una maturación precoz a los 4-5 meses, lo que conduce a numerosos desoves (4-5). Esta población semi-anual y multivoltina, esencialmente controlada por la temperatura y la pluviosidad, presenta, un potencial reproductor, comparable a numerosas poblaciones de Europa. Estas características asociadas a un habitat cryptoz adoptado por los juveniles al momento de la crisis veraneal son essentiales en el mantenimiento de esta población de la laguna Smir. A monthly sampling of Orchestia gammarellus (Pallas, 1766) in lake Smir (Mediterranean coast of Morocco) has allowed the analysis of some parameters of the reproductive cycle. This study showed that the reproduction appears from October to may (short interruption in February) with a long pause during a summer, associated with a high mortality especially at the adult stage. The fecundity is 15 eggs per female on an average is compensated for a sex-ratio of 1:1 (57% of females). The short longevity not exceeding 10 months is made up for a precocious maturity (4- 5 months) leading to numerous broods (4-5). This semi-annual and multivoltine population depending on temperature and rainfall, shows also a reproductive potential comparable to many European populations, these caracteristics associated to Cryptozoic habitat of juveniles during the summer crisis are essential in the maintenance of this population of Smir lake. Un échantillonnage mensuel d'Orchestia gammarellus (Pallas, 1766) dans le lac Smir (littoral méditerranéen du Maroc) a permis d'analyser certains paramétres de son cycle reproducteur. Ainsi, la reproduction ne se poursuit que d'octobre à mai (interruption brève en février), presentant un long arrêt pendant l'été associé à une forte mortalité au sein des adultes; la fécondité également moindre, 15 oeufs en moyenne par femelle, est compensée par un sex-ratio de 57% des femelles. En outre, la longévité courte, ne dépassant pas 10 mois, est compensée par une maturité précoce à 4-5 mois entraînant de nombreuses pontes (4 à 5). Cette population semi-annuelle multivoltine, régie essentiellement par la température et la pluviosité, présente ainsi un potentiel reproducteur comparable à de nombreuses populations d'Europe. Ces caractéristiques associées à un habitat cryptozoïque adopté par les juvéniles au moment de la crise estivale, sont essentiels dans le maintien de cette population du lac Smir.