The National Agency for Aquaculture Development (ANDA) held its 25th Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday in Rabat, chaired by the Secretary of State to the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, responsible for Maritime Fisheries, Zakia Driouich.
This session was dedicated to reviewing the agency’s achievements for the 2024 fiscal year, as well as defining new strategic directions for the development of the aquaculture sector in Morocco, according to a statement from the Secretary of State.
On this occasion, Ms. Driouich emphasized the strategic role that aquaculture plays in the fishing economy, as a lever for growth, competitiveness, and job creation, praising the progress made in recent years, which has made aquaculture a booming sector, bringing added value and inclusion.
The results presented to the Board confirm this momentum, with 183 aquaculture farms currently operational, aiming for an annual production of over 71,000 tons. These figures illustrate the progress made and testify to the significant potential of the sector at the national level.
Furthermore, 64 aquaculture projects are currently in the equipment acquisition phase, announcing an additional production capacity of nearly 16,000 tons per year, the same source notes.
This momentum confirms the continuous expansion of the Moroccan aquaculture ecosystem, now driven by private operators, mastering all links in the value chain, and active in various production sectors.
The sector continues to experience sustained growth, through the gradual structuring of infrastructures and targeted financial support, particularly for strengthening the upstream of the sectors through the development of national hatcheries.
Three hatcheries are currently operational, while two new units are being installed, which will significantly increase the national seed production, a strategic input for the development of aquaculture.
Downstream of the value chain, 13 new processing and valorization units for aquaculture products are now operational. They play a central role in the transformation and marketing of aquaculture products, thus supporting the growth of a rapidly expanding sector with high economic potential.
As part of the measures to support the competitiveness of the sector, the 2024 Finance Law has also introduced the extension of the tariff quota for the import of aquaculture feed, with a reduced customs duty of 2.5% until 2026. This measure aims to reduce input costs and stimulate the sector’s performance.
These tangible results illustrate the scope of the actions deployed under the Halieutis strategy, oriented towards operational efficiency and performance improvement. They confirm Morocco’s position among the countries most committed to a sustainable, structured, and competitive development of aquaculture.
At the end of the proceedings, the Board of Directors validated the agency’s activity report and reviewed its financial accounts for the 2024 fiscal year. These accounts were certified without reservation by the auditor, confirming the rigor and transparency of ANDA’s management.
MAP