Agadir – Morocco’s aquaculture sector has expanded to 244 active projects with a combined target production capacity of approximately 90,000 tons per year, according to the National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture (ANDA).
The agency announced these during the 27th session of its Board of Directors, held today in Rabat under the chairmanship of Secretary of State for Maritime Fisheries Zakia Driouich.
The meeting reviewed the agency’s achievements during the 2025 financial year, assessed progress on the sector’s main structural projects, and examined future development prospects.
In a statement, ANDA said aquaculture is expected to play “an increasingly important role in consolidating the blue economy, strengthening food sovereignty, and creating sustainable jobs.”
Opening the meeting, Driouich said Morocco has made the sustainable development of marine resources and the blue economy a strategic priority under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.
She described aquaculture as “a key pillar of the Halieutis strategy and a strategic lever for diversifying national fisheries production,” adding that the sector addresses “major challenges related to food security, the sustainable use of marine resources and spaces, investment attractiveness, and the economic and social development of coastal areas.”
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The board also reviewed progress in strengthening Morocco’s aquaculture value chain.
According to ANDA, the expansion of national hatcheries is gradually securing the supply of aquaculture seeds, a key requirement for increasing production capacity. At the same time, stronger processing and value-added facilities are improving product quality, boosting competitiveness, and generating higher added value for producers.
Board members also welcomed measures introduced by public authorities to improve the sector’s competitiveness, including support for strategic production inputs, efforts to facilitate investment, and initiatives aimed at strengthening assistance for project developers while improving the overall business environment.
The agency also pointed to growing international cooperation with partners including the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). According to the statement, these partnerships are supporting the sector through technical assistance, capacity-building programs, innovation, and the mobilization of new investments.
As part of Morocco’s public governance reforms, ANDA’s Board of Directors reviewed reports from its specialized committees covering governance, strategy and investment, as well as auditing.
At the close of the meeting, the board approved the agency’s 2025 activity report and financial statements. The accounts were certified without reservation by the external auditor, which the agency said reflects its “good governance and rigorous management.”
