Aquaculture and environment situation in Morocco

Aquaculture production in Morocco increased from 1 463 tonnes in 1994 to 2 793 tonnes in 1999, and then decreased to 1 538 and 1 698 tonnes in 2003 and 2004, respectively. As this production represents only 0.19 percent of the total fisheries production of about 1 million tonnes per year, this activity remains a marginal one within the rich fisheries sector. In marine finfish culture, the only rearing system practiced is the intensive system. Holding facilities vary from land-based culture units to sea cages (sea water depth 20-30 m; protected areas, lagoons and estuaries). Seabass and seabream are both reared in cages placed either in lagoons or in coastal waters along the Mediterranean coast. Land-based systems are not very common except for rainbow trout and carp. The culture of shellfish is still very traditional, and the culture system is dominated by bags suspended on iron structures in the intertidal zone. Some trials have been undertaken lately using long-lines in the Atlantic. Marine aquaculture has recently received considerable attention from the Government, which aims at developing the sector by producing a quality product whilst ensuring the conservation of the environment. Such approach would allow the production of commercial value species, as well as to contribute to the recovery of some over-fished populations. This could also contribute to the conservation of coastal zones and to generate revenues and employment. One of the main missions of the National Research Institute of Fisheries (Institut national de recherche halieutique - INRH) is to carry out research activities with the objective of contributing to the promotion of sustainable development of aquaculture. In this respect, INRH elaborates and periodically readjusts its research and development programmes in marine aquaculture depending on the needs of professionals and the administration. The programmes achieved by INRH, in cooperation with nationals and foreign public and private institutions, deal with different aspects of applied and fundamental research. The principal themes of aquaculture research concern essentially the identification of potential sites for aquaculture, the study of their ecological aspects and rearing trials and the production of some aquaculture species, survey and monitoring of marine fish and molluscs pathologies and adequate feeding and nutrition. Research activities also include studies on the impact of aquaculture activities to the environment.