Anchovy stocks are doing moderately well in the waters of Morocco and Mauritania. The stock is considered fully exploited and current fishing pressure appears to be sustainable, but biomass estimates are uncertain and reliable reference points are lacking. Due to the short life cycle of anchovy, stock size fluctuates considerably under the influence of natural conditions.
Fishing with purse seines has low bycatch of vulnerable (ETP) species and causes no damage to the seabed. Discards are low, although releasing entire catches from the net (slipping) can result in additional mortality. Fishing with midwater otter trawls also has low levels of discards and causes no damage to the seabed, but may occasionally catch marine mammals as bycatch. The consequences of removing large quantities of small pelagic fish from the ecosystem for the food web are still insufficiently understood. Purse seines are therefore the better choice.
Management is considered partly effective. Morocco and Mauritania have introduced measures to regulate fisheries for small pelagic species, but the effectiveness of these measures is uncertain and enforcement remains a particular concern in Mauritania. In addition, there are credible indications of human rights violations within these fisheries. There is no MSC certification available for these fisheries.