Moroccan-Norwegian firm Alta Mar invests US$21M in marine aquaculture in Safi
MOROCCO – Alta Mar, a Moroccan-Norwegian company specializing in the breeding of high-value fish species like Atlantic bluefin tuna, is investing US$21 million in a marine aquaculture project in Safi.
The announcement was made during the Halieutis trade fair in Agadir, which took place from February 6 to 9.
The project involves the construction of a hatchery covering 2.3 hectares to produce fish fry, breeding cages spread over 75 hectares in the sea, and a processing facility on an 8-hectare site designed to meet international seafood production and export standards.
Company representatives stated that the project is still under construction and is expected to start operations in the final quarter of 2025.
While production figures have not yet been disclosed, this initiative is being developed at a time when aquaculture remains a minor contributor to Morocco’s fish supply.
According to World Bank data, Morocco’s aquaculture production in 2022 stood at 2,310 tonnes, accounting for less than 0.1% of the total fisheries output, which exceeded 1.5 million tonnes.
The country is working to expand its aquaculture sector to ease pressure on wild fish stocks, which have been affected by overfishing and climate change.
Alta Mar’s project aligns with broader national efforts to scale up aquaculture production, as the National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture (ANDA) announced plans in October 2023 to establish 232 aquaculture farms by the end of 2025, aiming to increase output by 115,900 tonnes.
Morocco ranks as Africa’s second-largest fish supplier after Egypt, and with growing concerns over fishing pressures, aquaculture is gaining attention as a viable alternative for meeting demand.
In 2023, the volume of fish landed from coastal and artisanal fishing in Morocco exceeded 210,000 tonnes, marking a 9% rise from the previous year.
In 2020, the total value of Morocco’s sea fishing production was estimated at approximately US$1.13 billion.
The country’s aquaculture industry produces species such as seabass, seabream, and trout, while freshwater fish farming is largely based on extensive production systems.
Morocco’s overall aquaculture production has been experiencing steady growth, contributing to efforts to diversify the fisheries sector.
The country’s fishing fleet is categorized into three groups: the coastal fleet, the small-scale fleet, and the high-seas fleet.
As of 2016, Morocco had 19,532 registered fishing vessels, with 90% measuring less than 12 meters in length.
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