Morocco has inaugurated its first pilot offshore fish farm in Sidi Ifni, on the country's Atlantic coast, following an investment of 50 million Moroccan dirhams (approximately $5.1 million) in a project designed to test the technical and commercial viability of fish farming in open waters.
The facility, developed by the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH), was officially inaugurated on October 30, 2026, by Ahmed El Mehdi Mezouari, Minister Delegate for Maritime Fisheries. The project represents Morocco's first offshore fish-farming experiment of its kind and has been described by authorities as the first initiative of its type on the African continent.
Located approximately seven nautical miles from Sidi Ifni port, the facility occupies a 25-hectare marine concession at depths of between 40 and 45 metres. It consists of four floating cages, each measuring 29 metres in diameter, with a combined estimated annual production capacity of 280 tonnes, equivalent to approximately 70 tonnes per cage.
The project focuses on the cultivation of gilthead sea bream, a commercially valuable marine fish species. According to INRH Director General Mohamed Najih, the experimental programme has demonstrated the feasibility of raising the species in offshore conditions. After 16 months of cultivation, the fish reached an average weight of 400 grams, meeting the targeted commercial size.
The experimental phase, which ran from 2021 to 2026, involved oceanographic studies, assessments of marine conditions and tests to establish whether the floating cages could withstand the demanding environment of the open Atlantic. The institute reported that the structures withstood waves reaching seven metres, while the fish stocks showed resilience, with no reported outbreaks of disease or cannibalism during the trials.
The investment was financed through multiple contributions, with 40 million dirhams (approximately $4.1 million) provided by the Ministry responsible for Maritime Fisheries under sectoral support linked to the fisheries agreement between Morocco and the European Union. The INRH contributed another 4 million dirhams (approximately $408,000) from its own resources, while the remaining 6 million dirhams (approximately $612,000) is expected to come from the sale of fish produced during the experimental programme.
Beyond the pilot facility, Morocco is seeking to develop a larger offshore aquaculture industry. A national mapping exercise identified potential aquaculture production capacity exceeding 300,000 tonnes across about 24,000 hectares. Of the 8,000 hectares identified specifically for fish farming, 75% are located along the Atlantic coast in offshore waters.
The facility also includes a dedicated operational vessel, a catamaran named Aman, for feeding and maintaining the fish cages, alongside an 800-square-metre logistics base at Sidi Ifni port equipped with storage facilities, a scientific laboratory and administrative offices.
To encourage commercial participation, the INRH has selected a private company to market the first production from the facility. The partnership also provides for the management and operation of the installation over five years while allowing the institute to continue its research and development activities.
NBF Insight
Morocco's offshore fish farm represents an important development in the search for new ways to expand Africa's food production capacity. As pressure on conventional fisheries and demand for fish protein continue to shape the seafood sector, offshore aquaculture offers an opportunity to develop production beyond sheltered coastal waters.
However, moving fish farming into the open sea requires specialised infrastructure, scientific research, reliable logistics and significant investment. Morocco's decision to establish a pilot facility before encouraging wider private-sector participation provides an opportunity to test these requirements under actual marine conditions.
For Africa, where aquaculture development remains an important opportunity for reducing dependence on wild fish stocks and strengthening food supply, the project raises a broader question about the continent's capacity to harness its extensive marine resources.
The next test will be whether Morocco can translate the results of this experimental facility into commercially viable operations that attract investors, increase fish production and create a sustainable offshore aquaculture industry.
