HIBAPRESS
The National Institute of Fisheries Research held today, December 17, 2025, the thirty-third session of its Board of Directors in Rabat, chaired by Zakia Driouch, Secretary of State for Fisheries under the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests. This session was dedicated to presenting the scientific action plan and the institute's budget for the year 2026 and approving them.
During the session, the council emphasized the strategic role of the institute in supporting the sustainable development of the maritime sector and strengthening the resilience of the national blue economy, in light of the environmental and climatic challenges that affect fisheries and fishing activities and aquaculture. The institute affirmed its commitment to continue strengthening its scientific and technical capabilities to ensure the rational and sustainable exploitation of marine resources.
The 2026 action plan includes the implementation of about ten research programs and projects, including about 1,320 days of oceanographic campaigns and campaigns to assess fish stock resources, in addition to 490 sampling campaigns dedicated to environmental monitoring distributed across 142 stations along the Moroccan coast. The plan also includes the classification of eight new areas for shellfish farming and the continuation of the monitoring of 40 previously classified areas, in addition to strengthening research and development in aquaculture and the valorization of marine products, which contributes to diversifying the offer and developing new processed products.
The plan also focuses on preparing a roadmap for good governance of the sector, and strengthening infrastructure and scientific equipment, especially in the areas of marine product valorization, aquaculture, and oceanography. The Secretary of State emphasized the importance of cooperation between all actors in the sector to respond to current challenges, with the need to invest in advanced technologies to ensure optimal monitoring of the oceans and sustainable resource management.
The Board of Directors concluded the session by praising the efforts of all employees of the Institute, calling for the continuation of work in scientific research, communication and knowledge dissemination to serve the maritime sector and promote the sustainable development of the blue economy in Morocco.
