Heba Press
Zakia Driouch, Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests in charge of maritime fishing, held, Wednesday, at the headquarters of the National Agency for the Development of marine aquaculture in Rabat, a working meeting dedicated to the identification of the agency’s work program and the study of mechanisms aimed at developing the marine aquaculture sector in Morocco and accelerating related projects in presence of the director of the National Marine Aquaculture Development Agency and several officials from the agency and the State. Secretariat responsible for maritime fisheries.
In her speech on this occasion, the Secretary of State underlined the great importance of the marine aquaculture sector in Morocco thanks to its growing dynamism and the enormous potential which the Kingdom abounds, estimating that the sector was able, thanks to the Aleutis strategy launched by King Mohammed VI, may God grant him victory, occupies an important position. It is among the most promising sectors for the future and offers great potential to contribute to food security, create employment opportunities, stimulate investments, create added value and support the economy. development, in addition to the legislative and regulatory dynamics that the sector has witnessed over the last two decades, which has provided a clear and frank vision to investors in mariculture throughout the national territory.
In this regard, and so that the sector can continue its dynamism and contribute to meeting the challenges, in particular those linked to food security, the stimulation and encouragement of investments, the creation of employment opportunities and improving the competitiveness of the sector, the Secretary of State gave it directives to accelerate the pace of implementation of programs and projects linked to the aquaculture sector, keep pace with professionals, and motivate investors through… A set of procedures, particularly tax and financial, as well as the training and qualification of the workforce.
She also called on Al-Dariush to focus on the completion of all legislative and legal texts currently under study, calling at the same time for the concerted efforts of all partners in order to successfully complete the structured programs and projects related to this subject. vital sector according to a precise timetable in accordance with the healthy and insightful royal vision and in accordance with the content of the new development model and the government program.
Given the great importance of aquaculture products at the national level; The Secretary of State underlined the need to adopt a communication and promotion policy for the products of aquaculture farms in order to make them known, especially since these are products which satisfy and meet all the conditions and health safety standards.
It is worth noting that the meeting included detailed presentations on the programs and projects of the National Agency for Marine Aquaculture Development, as the Agency works to continue the implementation of the cluster development program marine aquaculture in different regions of the Kingdom, as well as the program to improve employment opportunities for young people and create a generation of entrepreneurs in the field of aquaculture. It was these projects that allowed the sector to achieve continued growth in terms of the number of agricultural projects that were created, which had 173 farms, targeting. a total production which will exceed 99,400 tonnes annually, in addition to 61 other projects under construction for an annual production of approximately 24,800 tonnes and the creation of approximately 626 new direct jobs. Note that 10 regional marine aquaculture plans have been carried out, covering more than 2,300 km, to ensure the sustainable development of the sector in 8 coastal regions of the Kingdom, namely the Oriental Region, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima. , Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra, Casablanca-Settat, Marrakech-Safi, and Massa, Guelmim-Oued Noun and Dakhla-Oued Eddahab. Among the structured projects on which the agency is currently working, there is also a program aimed at developing land-based marine aquaculture projects, particularly in remote areas not suitable for agriculture.
As part of training and monitoring of projects in the aquaculture sector, the agency is working to continue uploading a set of programs and procedures for technical support to mariculture projects through 6 programs for the benefit of 465 projects.
During the year 2025, the agency aims to increase the number of agricultural projects to 232 projects with a production capacity of approximately 115,900 tonnes and create 2,720 direct jobs. Spaces available for aquaculture will be displayed in several regions of the Kingdom with the aim of attracting more investors to the sector.
As part of the digital transformation of the aquaculture sector, the government authority in charge of maritime fisheries is striving to keep pace with the National Aquaculture Development Agency in implementing workshops to accelerate the digital transformation of its projects by preparing a project management plan. for information systems.
