This new mission made it possible to take stock of the progress of the various components of the program and to evaluate the results recorded by the national entities mobilized.
The blue Moroccan economy is reaching a new milestone. The Ministry of Economics, Finance and Public Performance (MEFPP), in partnership with the World Bank, conducted, from 19 to 30 October 2026, the seventh mission to support the implementation of the Results Program « Development of the Blue Economy in Morocco » (PPR EB), financed to the tune of 350 million dollars. This new mission made it possible to take stock of the progress of the various components of the program and to evaluate the results recorded by the national entities mobilized. According to a statement from the Budget Directorate, the work also identified the necessary measures to accelerate the deployment of activities and ensure the achievement of the objectives set.
Progress
For the INRH (Institut national de la recherche halieutique), the results presented for 2026 show the evaluation of 17 fish stocks, including nine offshore stocks and eight coastal stocks. With this result, the INRH confirms the achievement of the target set within the framework of the PPR. « The health and environmental surveillance of shellfish production areas has also made significant progress, with 20,489 cumulative hectares evaluated, or 137.75% of the corresponding target. The system mobilized 334 sampling campaigns, allowed the processing of 3,064 samples and gave rise to 5,368 analyses. The results presented indicate that the levels of contaminants recorded did not affect the health status of the classified production areas, » explains the same press release. On the side of ANEF (Agence nationale des eaux et forêts), the same source indicates that at the end of September 2026, the achievements cover 13,872 hectares of restored coastal forests, or 88.3% of the final target of 15,710 hectares. « Among these achievements, 11,376 hectares are validated for the results giving rise to disbursement, while 2,496 hectares remain subject to verification. In terms of fixing coastal dunes, 899 hectares were made out of a target of 1,060 hectares, including 539 hectares validated and 360 hectares under verification. The interventions also concern the conservation of biodiversity in several priority natural sites, including the national parks of Souss-Massa and Al Hoceima, « notes the same press release. In the case of the delegated ministry in charge of maritime fisheries, the creation of Marine Protected Areas continues as part of an approach combining scientific knowledge, maritime space planning and consultation with stakeholders.
« The Agadir AMP is an important advance, with the publication of its decree of creation in the Official Gazette and the development of its development and scientific management plan. An area of 30,000 hectares, corresponding to the Agadir AMP, was submitted for the first result entitled to disbursement, subject to verification, on a global target of 61,500 hectares. Technical, regulatory and advisory procedures continue for the two Larache and Nador sites, « says the same source. Regarding the Department of Sustainable Development, environmental monitoring activities of beaches continue, with 196 beaches declared under the 2026 indicator, out of a final target of 204. In addition, 1,490 people have been trained in the management of the marine and coastal environment, in particular as part of the simulation exercises to combat accidental marine pollution (Simulex). As the same source points out, the ANDA’s Aquaculture Support Program, covering the period 2023-2027 and with an envelope of 116.4 million dirhams, allowed the installation and operation of nine aquaculture farms, two of which were run by women entrepreneurs. « Among the achievements are the support of the first closed-circuit shrimp farm in Morocco and the development of an open sea algae cultivation pilot in the Souss-Massa region. These initiatives open up prospects for the diversification of domestic production and the development of new value chains. The increase in equipment, delivery times and the extension of acquisition procedures nevertheless remain constraints requiring special attention in order to accelerate the commissioning of projects, » says the same source. As for the Moroccan Tourism Engineering Society (SMIT), the support mechanisms for tourist SMEs continue their deployment through incubation, financing and investment support programs.
« These interventions aim to strengthen the entrepreneurial fabric and promote the emergence of a diversified and sustainable coastal tourist offer, » says the same source.Continuous news
During this mission, special attention was paid to the National Blue Economy Strategy, presented as part of the Blue Lab III, organized on the sidelines of the mission. “This strategic initiative carries an ambition to structurally transform the development model of the blue economy, through the adoption of an integrated approach to maritime and coastal spaces and sectors, the strengthening of value creation and the integration of value chains, as well as the promotion of an environment conducive to the mobilization and convergence of public and private investments. It also aims to consolidate governance, planning and sectoral management mechanisms, relying on better production, exploitation and exploitation of data to inform public decision-making, guide investment choices and strengthen the competitiveness of activities related to the blue economy, « underlines the same press release.
Field visits
The second week of the mission was dedicated to field visits. In the Oriental region (Nador), the mission visited aquaculture farms operating in the algoculture and fish farming sectors. She also met with fishermen’s representatives as part of the process of creating the Nador Marine Protected Area. « These exchanges made it possible to address the issues related to the preservation of fisheries resources, consultation with fishing communities and the integration of local economic activities in an approach to sustainable management of marine spaces, » explains the same source.
In the Souss-Massa region (Agadir), the mission was received by the wali of the region. « The exchanges focused on the development prospects of the blue economy at the regional level, investment opportunities and the role of territories in the sustainable development of maritime and coastal potential.
Consolidation of acquired knowledge
In addition to monitoring result indicators, the mission stressed the importance of accelerating activities and continuing to verify results submitted under disbursement indicators. « The seventh mission thus confirms the progress made in scientific research, ecosystem restoration, biodiversity protection and development of productive sectors. Field visits also highlighted the concrete impact of the programme on economic operators and coastal communities. The consolidation of these achievements will require maintaining a sustained pace of execution, strengthening the operational capacities of the entities concerned and continuing coordination and territorial consultation efforts, » concludes the same statement.
