Red coral enjoys international protection, the convention on the conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Berne Convention of 19 September 1979) and the Protocol concerning Specially Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea and the biological diversity of the Mediterranean.
Morocco ratified the Bern Convention in 2002 and signed the Barcelona Protocol on 10 June 1995, and established a national regulation of coral fishing.
Management measures
The Coral Development Plan fixes:
-
Fishing effort by limiting the number of vessels;
- Catch quotas;
- Fishing periods by zone.
Legal references
- Decree No. 2-04-26 of 6 Hija 1425 (17 January 2005) laying down the conditions and modalities for fishing of coral;
- Agriculture minister order, Rural Development and Maritime Fisheries No. 2655-06 of 21 Choual 1427 (13 November 2006) regulating the fishing of red coral in the maritime area known as "Tofino" located off Al Hoceima ;
- Order No. 1566-10 of 29 Joumada I 1431 (14 May 2010) regulating the fishing of red coral in the maritime area between Cape Spartel and Larache.