New Local Fleet Cuts Algerian Tuna Industry Costs

Algeria is making significant strides in its tuna fishing industry, with the wilaya of Tlemcen emerging as a strategic hub for naval and fishing advancements. The imminent entry into service of three large, locally manufactured tuna boats marks a pivotal moment, enabling the region to transition from subsistence fishing towards becoming an industrial center. According to Sahnoun Boukobrine, local director of fishing and aquatic resources, these new vessels, assembled in Algeria, are projected to save the state and shipowners approximately one million euros per vessel compared to international market prices. This local production, with an assembly cost of about three million euros per vessel against over four million euros for imported counterparts, directly contributes to reducing import expenditures and fostering foreign currency generation.

These three vessels are part of a broader local initiative to construct seven tuna boats, with the first unit having already commenced operations last June. An additional six vessels, each measuring 37.5 meters in length, are currently under construction at the Honaïne and Sidna Youchaa shipyards. These maritime giants are entirely realized by Algerian engineers and workforce, representing over half of a national program that encompasses eleven such vessels under fabrication across the country. Tlemcen already supports a robust fishing ecosystem, comprising a fleet of 495 boats, which collectively recorded a yield exceeding 8,000 tonnes of fish in the previous year.

To support this industrialization of the fishing fleet, port infrastructure is undergoing significant enhancements. The port of Sidna Youchaa is being developed to become Algeria's first port exclusively dedicated to deep-sea fishing, often referred to as "grande pêche." Included in the sector’s action program for 2020-2025, this strategic facility boasts the nation's largest berthing capacity for fishing vessels. With an allocated budget of nearly 10 billion dinars for its development, Sidna Youchaa is now dimensioned to accommodate approximately 3,000 boats, establishing itself as the second-largest port in the region after Oran and effectively alleviating congestion at the historic port of Ghazaouet.

Tlemcen's selection as a center of excellence is strategically informed by its geographical position near the Strait of Gibraltar. Its coastline benefits from cold currents originating from the Atlantic Ocean, rendering its continental shelf one of the most productive fishing grounds along Algeria's maritime facade. By leveraging this exceptional natural advantage alongside the burgeoning capabilities of the Honaïne shipyards and the expanded Sidna Youchaa port, Tlemcen is positioned as a key economic driver. This transition towards deep-sea fishing is expected to generate extensive direct and indirect employment opportunities, reinforcing the wilaya’s critical role in ensuring Algeria's national food sovereignty and security.