20.4.1 Marine Aquaculture History in the Mediterranean
Coasts of Morocco
According to FENIP (2010), Orbi et al. (2011), and Nhhala (2018), the history of
marine aquaculture in Morocco’s Mediterranean coasts can be, in general, characterized by three types of aquaculture development: lagoon, onshore, and open sea
aquaculture.
20.4.1.1 Lagoon Aquaculture
This aquaculture represents the first commercial-scale operations on the Mediterranean coast in Morocco; it was established in the Nador lagoon for the cultivation of
the European flat oysters, Ostrea edulis. In the early 1980s, as part of the implementation of the FAO project for the promotion of marine aquaculture in Mediterranean countries (MEDRAP Project), some studies on the assessment of aquaculture
potential of the Nador lagoon were conducted by FAO experts and Moroccan
researchers from the ISPM (Scientific Institute of Maritime Fisheries which became
the current INRH –National Institute of Fisheries Research – since 1996) (Nhhala
et al. 2015). These studies concluded that this lagoon had a strong production
potential, particularly in terms of shellfish culture and fish farming. So, in 1985,
they contributed to the creation of the first marine aquaculture farm on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, called Marost (Moroc Ostréiculture). The transfer of
technology and professional know-how and the reinforcement of required skills
and capacities were provided by the FAO MEDRAP Project (Bruno 1987). In this
way, the development of “what was called” a modern lagoon aquaculture in
Morocco was initiated taking as reference some examples and experiences of
European countries in the Mediterranean region. Originally designed to produce
flat oysters (Ostrea edulis), Marost was rapidly forced to diversify its aquaculture
production by including the European clam (Ruditapes decussatus) in 1986; the
Mediterranean shrimp (Penaeus kerathurus) in 1987, which was 1 year later
replaced by the Japanese shrimp (Penaeus japonicus); the European sea bass
(Dicentrarchus labrax) in 1988; and the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) in
1989. It also tried other fish species like the spotted sea bass (Dicentrarchus
punctatus) and the sharp snout sea bream (Diplodus puntazzo), but in spite of the
successful experimental production, their commercial-scale production did not sustainably develop. Marost also started to produce some tonnes of European eel
(Anguilla anguilla) from fishes supplied by local artisanal fishermen and those on
the north Atlantic coast (Kenitra-Larache). These eels were kept in extensive breeding tanks (raceways) for a few weeks, and then they were sold alive on the Italian
market.
On a technical level, Marost opted for aquaculture techniques adapted to local
conditions, particularly physical environmental conditions. Thus, flat oyster farming
techniques were based on fixed rafts (oyster tables built by railway rails and wooden
20 Aquaculture in the Alboran Sea
689
Coasts of Morocco
According to FENIP (2010), Orbi et al. (2011), and Nhhala (2018), the history of
marine aquaculture in Morocco’s Mediterranean coasts can be, in general, characterized by three types of aquaculture development: lagoon, onshore, and open sea
aquaculture.
20.4.1.1 Lagoon Aquaculture
This aquaculture represents the first commercial-scale operations on the Mediterranean coast in Morocco; it was established in the Nador lagoon for the cultivation of
the European flat oysters, Ostrea edulis. In the early 1980s, as part of the implementation of the FAO project for the promotion of marine aquaculture in Mediterranean countries (MEDRAP Project), some studies on the assessment of aquaculture
potential of the Nador lagoon were conducted by FAO experts and Moroccan
researchers from the ISPM (Scientific Institute of Maritime Fisheries which became
the current INRH –National Institute of Fisheries Research – since 1996) (Nhhala
et al. 2015). These studies concluded that this lagoon had a strong production
potential, particularly in terms of shellfish culture and fish farming. So, in 1985,
they contributed to the creation of the first marine aquaculture farm on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, called Marost (Moroc Ostréiculture). The transfer of
technology and professional know-how and the reinforcement of required skills
and capacities were provided by the FAO MEDRAP Project (Bruno 1987). In this
way, the development of “what was called” a modern lagoon aquaculture in
Morocco was initiated taking as reference some examples and experiences of
European countries in the Mediterranean region. Originally designed to produce
flat oysters (Ostrea edulis), Marost was rapidly forced to diversify its aquaculture
production by including the European clam (Ruditapes decussatus) in 1986; the
Mediterranean shrimp (Penaeus kerathurus) in 1987, which was 1 year later
replaced by the Japanese shrimp (Penaeus japonicus); the European sea bass
(Dicentrarchus labrax) in 1988; and the gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) in
1989. It also tried other fish species like the spotted sea bass (Dicentrarchus
punctatus) and the sharp snout sea bream (Diplodus puntazzo), but in spite of the
successful experimental production, their commercial-scale production did not sustainably develop. Marost also started to produce some tonnes of European eel
(Anguilla anguilla) from fishes supplied by local artisanal fishermen and those on
the north Atlantic coast (Kenitra-Larache). These eels were kept in extensive breeding tanks (raceways) for a few weeks, and then they were sold alive on the Italian
market.
On a technical level, Marost opted for aquaculture techniques adapted to local
conditions, particularly physical environmental conditions. Thus, flat oyster farming
techniques were based on fixed rafts (oyster tables built by railway rails and wooden
20 Aquaculture in the Alboran Sea
689