Morocco has unique and natural assets, quality waters and areas that are suitable to multiple farming techniques offering a variety of aquaculture products like: European bass, gilt-head bream, meagre, Greater amberjack, Sole, Turbot, Clam, Haliotis, Mussels, shellfish, Scallop, Shrimps, Algae.
The aquaculture products are nutritious and of a very good quality. They are bred in a constantly monitored environment, fed in a controlled manner and harvested by specific methods, preserving the best freshness of the product without breaking the cold chain.
The aquaculture has started in Morocco since the 50s with the oyster farming in the lagoon of Oualidia on the Atlantic in central Morocco.
During the 80s, it evolved with the breeding of diversified species in the Nador lagoon such as the European bass, the gilt-head bream, the shrimps and the clam.
During the decade of the 90s, new production farms started emerging with new farming techniques such as ponds.
A new era has begun with the start of the Halieutis Plan Since 2009, it identified the development of aquaculture as a growing indicator for the Moroccan fisheries sector, and a good alternative for the preservation of marine resources. Consequently, the National Agency for the Aquaculture Development (ANDA in French, NAAD in English) was iniated in 2011 to give a new breath to the aquaculture sector.
The National Agency for the Aquaculture Development (ANDA in French, NAAD in English) has the mission to promote the development of national aquaculture.
The NAAD is responsible for:
- The implementation of the government's aquaculture policy;
- The proposing of specific action plans in accordance with the orientations given by the national fisheries sector strategy and the regulatory framework;
- The promotion of aquaculture activities and the trade development in the national market and in exportations.