Yacine El Mahdi Oualid, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries, has announced a series of measures aimed at addressing the concerns raised by fishing and aquaculture professionals. These include the immediate processing of urgent files and the review of the management model of the chambers dedicated to these activities.
A national meeting with the presidents of the fishing and aquaculture chambers proTvided an opportunity to take stock of the situation in the sector, as well as to allow professionals to present the concerns and obstacles they face on the ground, in order to adopt appropriate measures to boost the activity given its strategic importance for food security.
The minister of Agriculture, who chaired this meeting, emphasized the strategic importance of the fishing and aquaculture sector, stressing the need to redouble efforts to increase national fish production and ensure the stability of seafood prices on the market, as stated in a ministry communiqué. The department noted that this meeting underscores the participatory approach and strengthens the dialogue between the administration and sector professionals.
This meeting focused on listening to the concerns expressed by professional representatives, as well as discussing proposed solutions and measures to support wealth creators and improve the investment climate. The department highlighted the support provided to professionals through a new regulatory framework designed to strengthen credits for investment in fishing and aquaculture, thereby injecting more capital, improving the business environment and encouraging investment.
The minister also announced the launch of connecting fishing vessels to a satellite surveillance system (VMS), with 1,700 vessels to be equipped during the current year. This measure will contribute to the modernization of the sector, the organization of its activities and the fight against illegal fishing through the use of technology.
After hearing the concerns and grievances of professionals, as well as their professional and social aspirations, the minister announced the “immediate” processing of urgent files and the review of the management of the chambers of fishing and aquaculture, with the aim of strengthening their role as a source of proposals, consolidating their capacities and encouraging the organization and membership of professionals.
Growing Momentum
During this meeting, the minister highlighted the progress made in the fishing and aquaculture sector, noting that it is experiencing growing momentum, supported by positive results recorded in recent months. Aquaculture, marine and continental, has seen a qualitative jump in terms of quantities produced in 2026 compared to the previous year. More than 80 million seabream fingerlings were stocked, for a total estimated production of 20,000 tonnes, compared to around 7,000 tonnes previously, as the same source pointed out.
As for offshore fishing, the minister indicated that Algeria has successfully recovered its historical share of bluefin tuna, with a quota of 2,467 tonnes for the period 2026-2028, including the full recovery of its historical share and the allocation of a portion to artisanal fishing. He also emphasized that this quota will be valorized locally through the creation, for the first time, of fattening farms, thereby preserving added value within the national economy.
The minister also welcomed the activation of the fishing agreement concluded between Algeria and Mauritania, which “will open up promising prospects for professionals to access Mauritanian waters and benefit from quotas estimated at 32,120 tonnes, thereby strengthening the offer on the national market.”
In the field of sustainable management of fisheries resources, he stated that the positive results obtained through the use of artificial reefs in the Wilaya of Oran, in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, will be extended to other wilayas in order to support marine biomass to the benefit of artisanal fishing professionals.