New aquaculture project launches off Ras al-Ma'a in Nador

Economy of the East

The launch of a new aquaculture project in Moroccan waters was recently announced, as Mediterranean Aquafarm SA received the necessary license to establish and operate a state-of-the-art marine farm called “Mediterranean Aquafarm 2”. This ambitious project comes within the framework of strengthening the Moroccan fisheries sector and diversifying the sources of marine production.

This new marine farm is located offshore off the Ras El Ma'a area in the Nador region and is strategically located to provide optimal conditions for the growth and development of fish. The project is mainly dedicated to the breeding of three main species of high-value commercial fish, namely king bream, European sea bass, as well as migratory fish.

The decision to approve this project was made through a joint decree published in the Official Gazette on July 7, 2025, giving the company the green light to start production operations. This license is the result of an agreement signed on March 13, 2025 with the Secretariat of State in charge of Fisheries, which was approved by the Delegate Ministry in charge of the budget.

In order to ensure quality assurance and transparency in operations, the company will be required to keep a detailed record of all data related to the entry and exit of fish, categorized by type and chronologically. This system will ensure that products can be traced from their source to the final consumer, enhancing food safety and quality standards.

The project is expected to contribute to boosting the local economy of the Nador region by creating new job opportunities and increasing fish production, and will help meet the growing demand for high-quality fish in local and international markets. The initiative is part of a comprehensive vision to develop the aquaculture sector in Morocco and achieve self-sufficiency in this vital field.