Morocco’s Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, in charge of fisheries, Zakia Darioush, recently paid an official visit to the Arade Eco Aquaculture shrimp farming project in the community of Iskoura Al-Hadra, in the Rahmana region, during its inauguration. The RAS project is one of the pioneering initiatives in the field of marine aquaculture in arid regions and represents a new step towards the adoption of sustainable models that take into account the specific characteristics of the Arab country’s territorial areas.
More than USD 10.84 million has been allocated to this project, which aims to achieve an annual production of 400 tons and create 45 direct jobs, thereby boosting the economic and social dynamism of the Rehamna region, informed Othman Krafess, the project promoter.
The interest of the Secretary in the Arade Eco Aquaculture shrimp farming project shows the Kingdom’s commitment to diversifying marine production and developing sustainable models that take into account the specific characteristics of semi-arid areas. It also represents a pioneering national experiment that will create added value in these areas and promote the transition to a blue economy.
During the visit, the Secretary of State inspected the components of the fattening unit and the shrimp rolling unit, and oversaw the official launch of the hatchery, as well as the start of work to expand the production unit, in a step that represents a decisive stage in consolidating this innovative workshop and enhancing its production capacities.
Integrated Model
The Moroccan Ministry of Fisheries highlighted that this pioneering project in arid zones “will mark a new step forward in the implementation of sustainable aquaculture models adapted to the specific territorial characteristics of the Kingdom of Morocco”. The assembly of this facility, the first land-based closed-system (RAS) shrimp farm in Morocco, began in 2022.
The project is based on an intensive, closed production system for the production (or RAS, Recirculating Aquaculture System) of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) in the middle of the desert, combining a specialized hatchery and a shrimp farming unit in a single location. This integrated model adds value to the production chain, from hatching to marketing, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of this type of aquaculture.
The project highlights the ability of semi-arid regions to attract quality investments by transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable development, relying on advanced scientific and technical approaches to shrimp production, in line with national trends for the development and enhancement of marine resources.
With the launch of this integrated project, the province of Rehamna is consolidating its position as a rising hub for innovation and aquaculture development, capable of hosting projects with high economic and social returns.
Agreements in the Field
A few days before the official visit, Zakia Driouich inaugurated the ‘Cap Sim’ landing site in the province of Essaouira and signed agreements in the field of aquaculture. The total cost of the project is USD 4.34 million, financed by the Hassan II Fund. The Secretariat of State for Maritime Fisheries is the project owner. The signature took place in the municipality of Essaouira, in province with the same name.
On this occasion, the Secretary of State signed the agreements for the creation and operation of these three aquaculture farms, marking a decisive step in the implementation of these projects in the province of Essaouira.
The project is part of efforts of the Government to improve the working and living conditions of fishermen and to promote seafood products through the establishment of an integrated infrastructure that meets quality and safety requirements, offers appropriate social and professional services, and strengthens the competitiveness of the value chain while supporting the development of maritime professions in the region.
More than 200 sailors aboard 60 boats will benefit directly from this project, which will result in improved quality, greater profitability, more local jobs, and better value for catches, particularly octopus, squid, cuttlefish, seaweed, crustaceans, sea bream, sole, scorpion fish, John Dory and horse mackerel, etc.
The Essaouira maritime district is one of the most important areas of the national maritime ecosystem. The province is experiencing remarkable growth in aquaculture development, driven by several projects currently under review that are actively contributing to the diversification and sustainability of the local blue economy.
Three aquaculture farm projects, covering a total area of 70 hectares, are particularly contributing to this momentum: two of them are dedicated to seaweed farming, with a target production of 10,000 tons, while the third focuses on fish farming, aiming for an annual production of 600 tons. Representing a total investment of more than 33 million dirhams, these projects will ultimately create around 65 direct jobs.
