Morocco has officially established eight marine protected areas along its Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts to enhance the protection of its marine biodiversity, as announced by the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali.
During the opening session of the eighth edition of the Sea Forum held in El Jadida, Benali confirmed that the kingdom aims to achieve 10% of its marine area protected by 2030, in alignment with the new global framework for biodiversity. She noted that increasing this percentage to 30% could boost fish biomass by 500%, positively impacting the fishing sector and improving economic conditions for local communities.
Benali highlighted that, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has adopted a series of legal and institutional measures to protect marine and coastal ecosystems as part of a national strategy incorporating sustainability principles into all public policies.
She explained that the ratification of the coastal law has laid the foundations for integrated coastal zone management, in line with Morocco’s international commitments, including the Integrated Coastal Management Protocol attached to the Barcelona Convention.
Regarding pollution control, the minister praised the results of the “Plastic-Free Coast” program, which has contributed to reducing waste on beaches by over 21%, alongside an improvement in water quality for bathing, with compliance rates reaching 93% in 2024 compared to 88% in 2021.
Benali emphasized that this progress reflects the importance of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including institutions, civil society, and citizens, with active youth participation in protecting the marine environment.
The opening session of the forum, organized under the theme “The Sea, the Future of the Earth,” was attended by the Consul General of France in Casablanca, Pascal Trimbach, the governor of El Jadida, Mohamed Attfawi, as well as a group of experts, professionals, and artists, aimed at discussing environmental and marine challenges and enhancing cooperation in this field.
