Strategic funding and scientific innovation propel a coastal region to the forefront of sustainable seafood production
The coastal region of Dakhla-Oued Eddahab has emerged as the definitive powerhouse of Morocco 's marine farming sector, now commanding more than 70% of the country's total aquaculture output. Driven by modern infrastructure and targeted investments, the territory is spearheading a national transition toward a highly lucrative, ecologically balanced maritime industry.
At the heart of this growth is the city of Dakhla , which features an advanced aquaculture station that is the first of its kind in Africa . The facility generates the critical scientific and technical data required to run sustainable, specialized operations focused on producing fry, shellfish, and both microscopic and consumable algae.
Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab It is situated in the disputed territory of Western Sahara, considered by Morocco to be the southern part of the country. The United Nations and most countries do not recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the area -->
Strategic Funding and Expansion Targets
To solidify this momentum, a budget of $432,000 has been allocated to draft a next-generation strategic plan. This initiative incorporates a comprehensive environmental assessment, an aquaculture infrastructure project, and an intensive impact study to balance aggressive economic growth with environmental preservation.
The financial and operational scale of this national ambition is highlighted by key benchmarks:
Public Investment: Morocco has mobilized $138 million in public funds specifically for aquaculture development.
Production Milestones: By 2024 , the country achieved a production level of 7,000 tons , generating $28.5 million in revenue.
Future Targets: The ultimate national goal is to scale up to an annual production of 390,000 tonnes , creating 6,300 direct jobs and securing Morocco 's status as an African leader.
Zoning Assets: Roughly 24,000 hectares of marine areas have been earmarked for upcoming investments across fish farming, shellfish farming, and seaweed cultivation.
Recent Growth: In 2025 alone, approximately 200 aquaculture farms were established, alongside 322 agreements signed to develop new hatcheries and strengthen the supply chain.
Aquaculture is a key sector in the economy of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region - Photo: National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture (ANDA)
This expansion features a strong social focus. The government intends to implement 450 aquaculture projects, 123 of which are explicitly reserved for young people, small-scale fishing cooperatives, and local project promoters.
The Pillars of Scientific Oversight
Daily operations and resource management rely heavily on the National Institute for Fisheries Research (INRH) based in Dakhla-Oued Eddahab . The institute deploys three specialized laboratories to protect marine ecosystems while maximizing commercial efficiency:
Accredited to strict international standards, the health control laboratory runs weekly testing protocols to check the health quality of clams and screen for biotoxins, ensuring consumer safety before products reach regional or international markets.
Balancing Exploitation with Conservation
The INRH regularly issues guidance to stakeholders, investors, and professionals to ensure commercial operations respect local ecological limits. This dual focus on production and protection aligns with the royal directives issued by King Mohammed VI regarding maritime development. Under this framework, resource conservation is viewed as an essential economic pillar rather than a regulatory hurdle.
By monitoring the exact structure of fish stocks—particularly small pelagics—and gathering precise landing data, the region relies on science-based decision-making to maintain long-term stock stability. This managed approach successfully protects marine resources for future generations while steadily increasing the region's profile for foreign and domestic investment.
🇯🇵 Japanese translation Japanese
The rapid growth of the marine aquaculture industry and the progress of the marine aquaculture industry
The capital investment of the war strategy has put the scientific management of coastal areas at the forefront of aquatic product production.
It is decided by the Maritime Aquaculture Department of the Coastal Area and Maritime Aquaculture Department The driving force behind the production of しておりis しており, and currently, めているaccounts for more than 70% of the country's breeding production. Modern navigator's investment, investment in the same area, and profitability High-tech, ecological system, and marine industry are the national migration pilot.
このgrowth centerにあるのがダフラ市であり、ここにはアフリカでInitial trial みとなるAdvanced なbreeding Specialized facilities for the production of juvenile fish, shellfish, fine algae, and edible algae. It is necessary and scientific to develop the technology that is necessary and extremely important.
The capital investment in the war strategy is a big goal
このPotential いをconfirmed たるものにするめ, next generation の戦strategist plan をplanned するために432,000 ドルのconceivedがCutり为てられた.この取り组みには, 强动な経済grown and environment preservation のバランスをtake るため, includedなenvironment アセスメント, breeding インフラプロジェクト, and およびconcentrated なimpact survey がcontaining まれている.
The scale used by the country's ambitions and finances is as follows:
Public investment: 138 million public funds are mobilized for the breeding industry's development and specialization.
Production of のマイルストーン: 2024までに, Tongguo 7,000 トンのproduced レベルに达し, 28.5 million ドルのincome を上げた.
Future goals: The ultimate national goal, annual production volume of 390,000 tons , Direct employment of 6,300 people has been established, and the status of the company has been established.
Seton's assets: fish farming, shellfish farming, seaweed cultivation, and future business Invest のために、およそ24,000ヘクタールの海区がされている.
Recent growth: In 2025, about 200 breeding farms will be established and new hatcheries will be opened. とそれに合うサプライチェーンのStrengthen the 322 agreement and conclude the agreement.
The side of the society and the focus of the society. The government's 450 breeding programs include 123そのうちの123 The operator, the Small-Scale Fisheries Cooperative Association, and the promoter of the small-scale fishery cooperative, the promoter of the small-scale fishery, the clear and secure fisherman.
pillar of scientific supervision
Japan's business and resource management,ダフラ＝ウエド・エッダハブに拠点を组くNational Fisheries Research Institute (INRH) に大きくdependentしている. To maximize the efficiency of the research institute and business, we will protect the marine ecosystem and develop the research laboratory of the 3rd door:
Research department
Main responsibility
Main application focus
Marine Fisheries
Resourcesのモニタリング
Tracking the number of fish caught in the fishing village along the coast of Furu Port and every day.
Marine environment and health
Quality Management
Aquatic products, special health ingredients.
Breeding ステーション
research and development
Propagation of breeding technology, maintenance of possible feed, and multi-species breeding are being promoted.
International Standard Certification Health Management Laboratory, Hygiene Quality Certification, Consumer Health Certification Possibility Biotoxin Absence Certification実にするために, regular weekly モニタリングbusiness を実时しており, The safety of products is ensured in front of consumers in the international market and in the region.
开発とprotectionのバランス
INRHは、Business activities がregional ecosystem バランスをRespect することを正実にするために、 Stakeholders, investors, and family members of the company will send regular letters of advice to the company. The focus of both production and protection is to focus on the openness and safety of the ocean. The instructions of the 6th king of the てムハンマドking , によって発, and the royal family, are consistent.この枠组みの下では, resource のprotection and regulation のハードルではなく,この経済モデルの不owed なpillar と见なされている.
Fishing resources, special small floating fish, correct resource structure, precision water raising, collectionことにより, the same area は続possible production をconfirmed にするためのscience にbased づいたmeaning decision にdependence している. Management of marine resources In the future Success comes at the same time, investment at home and abroad is achieved, and the region's attention is high.
🇨🇳 Simplified Chinese
The surge in Morocco's aquaculture industry marks a breakthrough in African marine aquaculture.
Strategic funding and scientific innovation are propelling coastal regions to the forefront of sustainable seafood production.
The coastal region of the Dahra Valley has emerged as a decisive pillar of Morocco's marine aquaculture industry, currently accounting for over 70% of the country's total aquaculture production. Driven by modern infrastructure and targeted investment, the region is leading the nation's transformation towards a profitable and ecologically balanced marine industry.
At the heart of this growth lies the city of Dahra , which boasts a state-of-the-art aquaculture facility—a first in Africa . This facility has generated crucial scientific and technological data to ensure the development of specialized, sustainable projects dedicated to the production of seedlings, shellfish, and microscopic or consumer-grade algae.
Strategic funding and expansion goals
To consolidate this momentum, a budget of $432,000 has been allocated to develop a new generation of programs that incorporate strategic environmental assessments. This initiative includes an aquaculture infrastructure project and its impact study to balance rapid economic growth with environmental sustainability.
The financial and operational scale of this national ambition is highlighted by the following key benchmarks:
Public investment: Morocco has mobilized $138 million in public funds specifically for the development of aquaculture.
Production milestone: By 2024 , the country had achieved a production level of 7,000 tons , generating $28.5 million in revenue.
Future goals: The country's ultimate ambitious goal is to increase annual production to 390,000 tons , create 6,300 direct jobs, and establish Morocco as a leader in Africa.
Planned assets: Approximately 24,000 hectares of sea area have been designated for future new investments, focusing on three main sectors: fish farming, shellfish farming, and seaweed cultivation.
Recent growth: In 2025 alone, approximately200 aquaculture farms were established and 322 agreements were signed to develop new hatcheries and correspondingly strengthen the supply chain.
This expansion has a purely social focus. The government aims to implement 450 aquaculture projects, 123 of which are specifically designed for young people, small-scale fishing cooperatives, and local project promoters.
Pillars of scientific regulation
Day-to-day operations and resource management rely heavily on the National Fisheries Research Institute (INRH) , headquarters in the Dahra-Gold Valley . This institute deploys three specialized laboratories to protect the marine ecosystem while maximizing commercial efficiency.
Laboratory Department
Core Responsibilities
Key operational focus
marine fisheries
Resource monitoring
We track the daily catch volume of fish brought ashore from Dahra Port and coastal fishing villages.
Marine Environment and Health
Quality control
Strict health screenings are conducted on seafood, especially clams.
Aquaculture station
Research and Development
Promote innovation in breeding technologies, sustainable feed, and species diversification.
Certified to international standards, this health control laboratory conducts regular weekly monitoring to check the hygiene quality of clams and ensure that there are no biotoxins that could pose a health risk to consumers, thus ensuring consumer safety before the products enter regional or international markets.
Balanced development and protection
The National Fisheries Research Institute (INRH) regularly issues recommendations aimed at raising awareness among stakeholders, investors, and professionals to ensure that commercial operations respect ecological balance. This dual focus on production and conservation aligns closely with the royal directives issued by King Mohammed VI regarding the development of the marine economy. Within this framework, the protection of fisheries resources is not only a shared responsibility but also an indispensable cornerstone of this economic model.
By monitoring the precise resource structure of fisheries resources, particularly small coastal fish, and collecting accurate data on land landings, the region relies on science-based decision-making to ensure sustainable production. This management approach has successfully protected marine resources for future generations while steadily increasing the region's attractiveness to domestic and international investment.
At the heart of this growth is the city of Dakhla , which features an advanced aquaculture station that is the first of its kind in Africa . The facility generates the critical scientific and technical data required to run sustainable, specialized operations focused on producing fry, shellfish, and both microscopic and consumable algae.
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