Integrated modeling for sustainable fisheries in Morocco: a dynamic computable general equilibrium approach

This paper explores how public policies and economic conditions impact fisheries sustainability using an integrated approach. Combining a synthetic fisheries resource assessment model with a dynamic computable general equilibrium model (DCGEM), the research challenges the belief that overexploited fish stocks inevitably lead to extinction. It highlights the sensitivity of the fishing sector and its sustainability to changes in fishing effort and fluctuations in fuel prices, emphasizing the risks of overexploitation in the medium and long term, even under initially acceptable conditions. The key takeaway is the importance of maintaining balanced catch levels and fishing efforts below their recommended theoretical threshold to ensure sustainable fisheries. The study brings original insights, providing practical policy implications and advocating for continuous monitoring along with adaptive management strategies.