Ms. Driouich: A Government Official Who Transformed the Fisheries Sector into a Driver of Employment and Sustainable Development
In an era marked by mounting economic challenges and an increasing need for structured and sustainable job opportunities, the fisheries sector stands out as one of the vital pillars supporting the national economy—not only through its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product, but also by providing stable and direct employment that fuels the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Moroccan families, from Tangier to Lagouira.
In this context, the presentation delivered by the Secretary of State in charge of Fisheries, Ms. Zakia Driouich, before the House of Representatives on Monday, April 14, was far from a routine institutional exercise. It served as a moment of assessment for a sector that has proven its resilience and effectiveness in the job market, currently generating around 260,000 direct jobs, in line with the Royal Vision that places the Moroccan citizen at the heart of development.
This figure is not merely quantitative—it is the result of a reformist and modernizing path led by a woman who has left a strong imprint on the national public scene, thanks to her competence, seriousness, and deep commitment to the interests of professionals and workers in the sector. Through her calm yet firm leadership, Ms. Zakia Driouich has successfully transformed the fisheries sector into a promising investment arena and a genuine space for wealth and job creation.
With transparency and realism, the Secretary of State highlighted that direct employment opportunities are distributed across 131,000 jobs onboard fishing vessels, 126,000 within industrial units, and 1,400 in aquaculture. Additionally, there are thousands of indirect jobs tied to the marine value chain, including transport, marketing, maintenance, and traditional trade.
These achievements would not have been possible without a series of structural reforms within the sector, most notably the implementation of the “Halieutis” strategy. This strategy has proven its effectiveness in establishing sustainable governance of fishery resources, supporting the marine product industrial network, and enhancing scientific research and monitoring. As a result, 96% of the landed quantities are now sustainably managed—an achievement that meets international standards for the rational exploitation of marine wealth.
While governance is an essential prerequisite for progress, the spirit of initiative and innovation remains an indispensable driver of momentum. In this regard, Ms. Driouich is credited with promoting the creation of new companies and cooperatives for wholesale fish trade—an initiative that opens doors for small investors and professionals to integrate into the blue economy and helps reduce the dominance of intermediaries and speculators.
In times of uncertainty and decline, hope lies in sectors brimming with vitality and seriousness. And the bet on authentic, competent Moroccan women—like Ms. Zakia Driouich—proves both fruitful and promising. Gratitude is owed to this patriotic woman who leads a sensitive sector with calmness, a clear vision, and a profound socio-economic sensibility.
In conclusion, all political and economic stakeholders must recognize that investing in the fisheries sector is an investment in people, employment, and territorial equity—an endeavor to which the Secretary of State is fully committed, with social dignity and economic efficiency at the forefront of her priorities.
#adil EL ARABI