The Director General of Fisheries and Aquaculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, Ali Cheikh Seboui, reaffirmed the authorities’ commitment to protecting the country’s marine resources.
Speaking on national radio on Thursday, June 26, 2025, he outlined the efforts being made to regulate fishing campaigns and combat illegal practices.
According to him, several specialized committees oversee the proper conduct of fishing seasons through rigorous monitoring and on-the-ground inspections. The goal: to prevent the overexploitation of certain fish species that are at risk of depletion.
Ali Cheikh Seboui warned against violations of the rules governing fishing activities, stressing that offenders face severe penalties, especially when failing to comply with the authorized periods for various fishing techniques such as coastal fishing, trawling, or purse seining.
He strongly criticized the practice of “sack looting,” a destructive method carried out outside any legal framework. He described those who engage in it as “intruders” in the sector, stating that they have no place in the Tunisian fishing system. “It is imperative to put an end to these irresponsible behaviors, which jeopardize not only current resources but also the legacy of future generations,” he said.
He also called on industry professionals to cease all cooperation with these illegal fishers in order to cut off the sources of maritime poaching.
When asked about the recent fish die-offs observed in the Monastir region, Ali Cheikh Seboui explained that it was not an isolated incident, pointing out that similar cases have also been reported along the Spanish coasts. He noted that these episodes occur under specific environmental conditions, including rising temperatures, high nutrient levels, shallow seabeds, and poor water circulation. These combined factors have led to the emergence of the phenomenon known as “red tide,” which is responsible for the death of numerous fish.
Source: realites
