Women and fishing nets: Mending the future of the sector in Beni Ensar

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 – Last Thursday, May 14, the first both classroom-based and hands-on sessions of the training program in fishing net making and repair began at the Beni Ensar Maritime Fishing Training Center, under the supervision of the center’s teaching staff. The program is specifically aimed at women from the region.

The program, developed in collaboration with local maritime institutions, will run for a total of four months. Training will be delivered through weekly four-hour sessions, equivalent in content to two conventional sessions—a format designed to accommodate the mobility constraints many participants face when traveling to the center.

A program with strong institutional backing

The training benefits from the active commitment of key stakeholders in Nador’s fishing sector. The Chamber of Fisheries and the Seafarers’ Association have confirmed the involvement of three specialists in net making and repair, with experience in both industrial offshore fishing and traditional artisanal practices.

Two training levels, one shared goal

The program follows the official curriculum adopted by the Moroccan Ministry of Fisheries and the Maritime Fishing Training Center, structured into two progressive levels. The first focuses on fundamental techniques such as material identification, knots, lashings, splicing, bindings, and equipment maintenance. It concludes with a practical assessment and the awarding of an official certificate.

The second level is advanced and intended for those already engaged in repair work in ports or who have completed the basic level and wish to obtain a specialization certificate. It covers net making, panel cutting, advanced repair techniques, patch assembly, and full net construction.

Both levels include final evaluations and support periods for participants who need to reinforce specific content, with durations determined by the teaching staff on a case-by-case basis. Participants who successfully pass the practical assessments will receive an official certificate recognized by the Moroccan Ministry of Fisheries, opening the door to their integration as professionals in the maritime sector.

Employment, autonomy, and local roots

Net making and repair is an essential activity in any fishing port: it keeps fleets operational, ensures vessel safety, and sustains a value chain that runs from sea to table. Until now, this expertise has been largely held by men. This program opens the door to real, dignified employment opportunities, deeply rooted in the cultural and economic identity of the region.

From Fundación Mujeres por África and its Moroccan affiliate, Association Femmes pour l’Afrique, we will continue to support the development of these training initiatives and amplify the voices of the women who, week by week, are building a more equitable future for the fishing sector in Beni Ensar.