Morocco's aquaculture sector grows to 244 active projects

Morocco now has 244 active aquaculture projects with a targeted annual production capacity of nearly 90,000 tonnes, according to the State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries.

The announcement was made in a statement following the 27th meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture (ANDA), held Tuesday in Rabat under the chairmanship of Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries Zakia Driouich. The secretariat said the sector's growth reflects increasing investor confidence and the effectiveness of government support measures.

Opening the meeting, Driouich said that, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has made the sustainable development of its marine resources and the blue economy a strategic national priority.

She stressed that aquaculture is a key pillar of the Halieutis strategy and an important tool for diversifying national fisheries production. The sector also contributes to food security, the sustainable use of marine resources, investment attraction, and the economic and social development of coastal regions.

The board highlighted progress across the aquaculture value chain. Upstream, the expansion of domestic hatcheries is helping secure the supply of juvenile fish and shellfish, an essential factor in strengthening production. Downstream, new packaging and processing facilities are improving product quality, increasing competitiveness and generating greater added value for operators.

Board members also welcomed measures aimed at boosting the sector's competitiveness, including government support for strategic inputs, efforts to facilitate investment, strengthen assistance for project developers and gradually improve the business environment.

The board further praised ANDA's growing international cooperation with technical and financial partners, including the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). These partnerships support the sector through technical assistance, capacity building, innovation and the mobilization of new investments.

As part of new governance rules for public institutions and enterprises, the board also reviewed reports from its specialized committees on governance, strategy, investment and audit.

At the end of the meeting, the board approved ANDA's 2025 activity report and financial statements, which were certified without reservations by the statutory auditor, reflecting what the agency described as sound governance and rigorous financial management.