A Groundbreaking Development in Quality Control for Morocco's Fishing Sector
The Secretary of State in charge of Maritime Fishing, Zakia Driouich, inaugurated a new quality control laboratory at the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH) in Agadir on Tuesday. This facility, located within the Souss Food Quality Pole, covers an area of approximately 580 square meters and represents an investment exceeding 13 million dirhams in high-tech scientific equipment. This initiative reflects the Moroccan government's commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of the fishing sector and developing agro-food industries as part of the national Halieutis and Generation Green strategies.
Enhancing Quality Standards and Market Positioning
The establishment of this laboratory is a significant step towards strengthening national capacities for the analysis, control, and certification of fishing and aquaculture products. By ensuring high standards of quality, traceability, and compliance with international market requirements, the laboratory plays a crucial role in improving the export compliance rates of Moroccan seafood products. Additionally, it aims to mitigate economic losses related to non-compliance, thereby enhancing the qualitative positioning of regional businesses in demanding markets and fostering international buyer confidence in Moroccan fisheries products.
During her visit, Driouich emphasized that this new laboratory, which falls under the Agadir-based Specialized Center for the Valorization and Technology of Seafood Products (CSVTPM), serves as a reference analytical infrastructure integrated into a multi-institutional one-stop-shop model. The laboratory's director, Jamal Chaira, highlighted its mission to ensure that seafood products adhere to health standards and market requirements while supporting the competitiveness of the Moroccan fishing industry.
In conjunction with the inauguration, three partnership agreements were signed to position the center as a national reference for research, development, and innovation in the valorization of fishing and aquaculture products. These agreements involve collaborations among INRH, the Regional Competitiveness Pole for Fishing and Seafood Processing (HALIOPOLE), the Seafood Freezing Association, and the Souss-Massa Promotion Cluster.
Through these strategic developments and partnerships, the Moroccan government reaffirms its ongoing commitment to the sustainable valorization of fishery resources, aligning with national priorities related to the blue economy, resilience of productive sectors, and the enhancement of food sovereignty in the Kingdom. The fishing industry's industrial fabric in the Agadir region is notable for its dynamism, featuring 116 valorization units that generate approximately 27,100 jobs on land and 16,430 at sea, totaling around 43,700 jobs and underscoring its significant role in the economic and social development of the area.
As reported by lopinion.ma.
