Tunisia's Fishing Ports on the Brink of Collapse
Infrastructure in Shambles, Equipment Broken, Services at a Standstill
The state of Tunisia's fishing ports is severe and officially recognized. This was evident during a hearing session held on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the Parliament, where the Agriculture and Fishing Commission received representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture. The occasion allowed members of parliament to confront officials with a reality they had documented themselves during a field visit to the ports of Bizerte and Sfax in February.
Key Statistics
- Tunisia has 42 fishing ports
- These ports accommodate 12,317 fishing units and support 42,000 people
- However, none of these ports currently function at the level of their needs
State of Disrepair
The quays are outdated, and the networks are old. Cranes are either missing or broken. In Sfax, a new crane imported from Italy broke down before its first use. In Kerkennah, the ports of Sidi Mansour and Sidi Youssef lack official legal status and are devoid of basic equipment, including security measures. In Bizerte, the ports of Jarzouna, Cap Zbib, and Ghar El Melh are still waiting for the launch of their expansion projects.
Overcrowding Exacerbates the Issue
Seized boats are indefinitely stationed in the basins, blocking access to the quays. Port personnel are insufficient, and the wholesale fish markets are outdated and in need of complete rehabilitation.
Ministry's Response
The Ministry has acknowledged the facts and cited a few ongoing projects:
- Expansion work on the ports of Kélibia, Mahdia, and Menzel Abderrahmane is underway
- A national port governance study has been launched, with a master plan set for 2050
- The classification of the ports of Sidi Mansour and Sidi Youssef is on the agenda for the first 2026 session of the Supreme Council of Ports
A Lack of Conviction
For fishermen, 2050 seems like a distant date. The broken quays, however, are a present reality. The announcements made by the Ministry have failed to convince, and the situation remains dire.
