producing sea bass in M’diq Bay, two shellfish farms producing mussels, both
managed by artisanal fisheries cooperatives, one in Cala Iris Bay and the other in
open sea located of “Water Cap” and one seaweed farm located in Marchica Lagoon
which started working in 2016. In 2015, the total production in Morocco was 470 t in
2015: 290 t of oyster in the Atlantic area and 180 t of sea bass in the Alboran Sea. A
short production of red seaweed (Gracilaria gracilis) and mussels (Mytilus
galloprovincialis but also African mussel, Perna perna) is produced since 2016.
To boost aquaculture development in Morocco, fishery department established in
2009 a national strategy for fisheries and aquaculture sector (Halieutis Plan), and it
created ANDA. The Halieutis Plan considered aquaculture as a major driver for
marine fishery sector development and defined strategic objectives for 2020, particularly in terms of expected aquaculture production estimated to be of 200,000 t.
ANDA has undergone many studies to establish integrated aquaculture plans
according to the allowed aquaculture zone concept. This planning approach reconciles environmental, social, and economic imperatives and provides a visibility for
sustainable aquaculture development in selected areas. Aquaculture polygons have
been defined with the delimitation of exploitable concessions, identification of
potential species for aquaculture, and proposal of suitable techniques.
On the Mediterranean coasts of Morocco, two aquaculture development plans
have been elaborated. Many sites have been selected and were subjected to calls for
expression of interest (https://www.anda.gov.ma/). Also, several applicants have
made their requests. Implementation of selected aquaculture projects is under preparation, and production activities will begin in the next few months or years.
In the marine area of “Tanger-Tétuan-Al Hoceima” region (located in the west
and center parts of the Mediterranean coast of Morocco), there are 13 shellfish
culture sites of 15 or 20 ha each and 12 fish culture sites of 25 or 40 ha each
(ANDA 2019a). In marine areas of the “oriental” region (located in the east part of
the Mediterranean coast of Morocco), there are 6 shellfish culture sites of 15 ha each,
4 shellfish/algae culture of 15 ha, and 46 fish culture sites of 25 ha each (ANDA
2019b).
In conclusion it can be said that the Mediterranean coasts of Morocco located in
the Alboran Sea area present a high potential for aquaculture activities. Integrated
aquaculture planning has been made following an “allowed zone for aquaculture”
concept, and considerable development potentials have determined. The implementation of these aquaculture planning should contribute to enhance the aquaculture
production in Morocco.
The development of aquaculture production in the Mediterranean region has led
to a higher total seafood supply, lowering cultured species product prices and
generating price instability and unpredictability. This has jeopardized farm durability, especially the small-scale ones and those situated on the south side of Mediterranean Sea, such as Morocco and Algeria.
So, alternative possibilities to strengthen aquaculture farms in Alboran south area
may rely on boosting of quality improvements and new product development,
improving business doing way in terms of market orientations (potential demand,
value-added presentations, new markets), reducing risk of price instability and
696
A. Ortega et al.
managed by artisanal fisheries cooperatives, one in Cala Iris Bay and the other in
open sea located of “Water Cap” and one seaweed farm located in Marchica Lagoon
which started working in 2016. In 2015, the total production in Morocco was 470 t in
2015: 290 t of oyster in the Atlantic area and 180 t of sea bass in the Alboran Sea. A
short production of red seaweed (Gracilaria gracilis) and mussels (Mytilus
galloprovincialis but also African mussel, Perna perna) is produced since 2016.
To boost aquaculture development in Morocco, fishery department established in
2009 a national strategy for fisheries and aquaculture sector (Halieutis Plan), and it
created ANDA. The Halieutis Plan considered aquaculture as a major driver for
marine fishery sector development and defined strategic objectives for 2020, particularly in terms of expected aquaculture production estimated to be of 200,000 t.
ANDA has undergone many studies to establish integrated aquaculture plans
according to the allowed aquaculture zone concept. This planning approach reconciles environmental, social, and economic imperatives and provides a visibility for
sustainable aquaculture development in selected areas. Aquaculture polygons have
been defined with the delimitation of exploitable concessions, identification of
potential species for aquaculture, and proposal of suitable techniques.
On the Mediterranean coasts of Morocco, two aquaculture development plans
have been elaborated. Many sites have been selected and were subjected to calls for
expression of interest (https://www.anda.gov.ma/). Also, several applicants have
made their requests. Implementation of selected aquaculture projects is under preparation, and production activities will begin in the next few months or years.
In the marine area of “Tanger-Tétuan-Al Hoceima” region (located in the west
and center parts of the Mediterranean coast of Morocco), there are 13 shellfish
culture sites of 15 or 20 ha each and 12 fish culture sites of 25 or 40 ha each
(ANDA 2019a). In marine areas of the “oriental” region (located in the east part of
the Mediterranean coast of Morocco), there are 6 shellfish culture sites of 15 ha each,
4 shellfish/algae culture of 15 ha, and 46 fish culture sites of 25 ha each (ANDA
2019b).
In conclusion it can be said that the Mediterranean coasts of Morocco located in
the Alboran Sea area present a high potential for aquaculture activities. Integrated
aquaculture planning has been made following an “allowed zone for aquaculture”
concept, and considerable development potentials have determined. The implementation of these aquaculture planning should contribute to enhance the aquaculture
production in Morocco.
The development of aquaculture production in the Mediterranean region has led
to a higher total seafood supply, lowering cultured species product prices and
generating price instability and unpredictability. This has jeopardized farm durability, especially the small-scale ones and those situated on the south side of Mediterranean Sea, such as Morocco and Algeria.
So, alternative possibilities to strengthen aquaculture farms in Alboran south area
may rely on boosting of quality improvements and new product development,
improving business doing way in terms of market orientations (potential demand,
value-added presentations, new markets), reducing risk of price instability and
696
A. Ortega et al.