Morocco Suspends Shellfish Harvesting in Sidi Daoud and Cap Beddouza Over Marine Toxins

Casablanca — The Moroccan State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries has banned the harvesting and selling of shellfish products from Sidi Daoud in Sidi Bennour province and Cap Beddouza in Safi province, following the discovery of abnormal levels of marine biotoxins in the mussels.

According to a press release from the secretariat, the decision was made today, following an analysis by the National Institute for Fisheries (INRH) that confirmed the presence of the toxins. The restriction applies to both harvesting and commercialization of shellfish from the two areas, and will remain in effect until the affected marine environment is fully purified.

Both mussel farming areas tested positive for high levels of marine biotoxins. As a result, authorities are advising consumers to purchase only packaged seafood products with official sanitary identification labels and that are sold through certified markets.

Authorities also warned consumers against buying shellfish sold by street vendors or in bulk, saying such products do not offer the same food safety guarantees as those sold through authorized channels

Shellfish farming areas in Morocco are subject to regular monitoring by the INRH, which conducts analyses to assess water quality and detect the presence of contaminants that could affect consumer safety. When abnormal levels of toxins or other harmful substances are identified, authorities can temporarily suspend harvesting and sales until conditions return to acceptable standards.

This ban comes just a few days after authorities lifted a similar restriction in the classified shellfish zone of Douira-Sidi R’bat near Agadir. At the time, tests conducted by the INRH found that environmental conditions had stabilized and mussels from the area had been fully purified. 

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