Morocco struggles to expand aquaculture despite rising demand

MOROCCO – Statistics indicate that aquaculture in Morocco is growing but remains far below its potential to meet local and international demand for fish.

Official figures show that production stood at 3,644 tonnes in 2024, a sharp increase compared to less than 500 tonnes in 2013, yet far from the estimated capacity of 300,000 tonnes per year.

The sector operates under a regulatory and institutional framework involving the National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture (ANDA), the Directorate of Maritime Fisheries (DPM), the National Institute for Fisheries Research (INRH), the National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA), and the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF).

Each body plays a role in planning, regulation, research, food safety, and financial monitoring, but coordination challenges have slowed progress.

Administrative and structural obstacles

A September 2025 World Bank report titled Harnessing Morocco’s Coastal Wealth: A Strategic Review of Marine Aquaculture for Job Creation and Sustainable Growth cites bureaucracy and fragmented decision-making as key barriers.

The report notes that investors face delays in securing land and permits because of overlapping mandates, while zoning conflicts with tourism, fishing, and conservation also complicate project approvals.

These issues are said to discourage private investment and restrict financing opportunities, slowing sector development.

The same report points to insufficient infrastructure, with gaps in hatcheries, fish feed factories, cold chains, landing sites, and processing facilities, all of which limit output.

Reform areas and investment opportunities

To address these problems, the World Bank recommends simplifying rules, digitizing permits, and strengthening regional institutions to support local projects.

It also proposes new financial tools, such as investment funds, carbon and nitrogen credits, blue bonds, and other forms of blue finance to attract private participation.

Another major concern is feed, which represents up to 80% of aquaculture costs.

The Bank calls for domestic production of high-quality feed and an update of regulations to allow alternative protein sources such as processed animal protein and insect meal, including black soldier fly products.

Public-private partnerships are also encouraged to reduce reliance on government-led investment.

A sector tied to fishing pressures

The need to grow aquaculture comes as Morocco faces declining fish stocks, particularly sardines, which account for most small pelagic catches.

The National Union of Fish Canning Industries (UNICOP) reported a 46% fall in sardine landings between 2022 and 2024, dropping from 965,000 tonnes to 525,000 tonnes, with overfishing and illegal practices among the main causes.

Meanwhile, seafood demand is projected to rise as the World Bank expects the Moroccan market to reach US$1.07 billion in 2025, with annual growth of 6.3% through 2030.

Currently, fishing supplies nearly all local consumption, raising concerns over sustainability if aquaculture remains limited.

There are already more than 300 aquaculture projects planned, with 183 farms in operation backed by 11 private investors.

These farms are expected to produce over 70,000 tonnes annually and create about 5,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs, but their contribution still falls short of national capacity.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.