PPI OSCAN 3 – Moroccan Association for the Development of Coastal Ecotourism in the SIBEs of Jebha and Ghomara

Coastal Ecotourism: Preserving the Marine Riches of Jebha and Ghomara

This project focuses on the preservation of marine resources through the development of coastal ecotourism in the Jebha and Ghomara areas of northern Morocco. It aims to enhance the natural wealth of these sites while providing concrete solutions for marine conservation and promoting sustainable practices.

The Moroccan Association for the Development of Coastal Ecotourism in the SIBEs of Jebha and Ghomara, in collaboration with the Fishermen’s Cooperative of Sidi Yahya El Wardani, organized a kickoff workshop in March 2023. This workshop brought together local fishermen and other stakeholders to launch the initial activities of the project. Two days were dedicated to raising awareness and training traditional fishermen on the importance of preserving marine resources.

Capacity building for fishermen is a priority. Currently, 90 members of the cooperative and 60 other users of the SIBEs have participated in awareness and training workshops on marine resource protection. They also benefited from a boat repair workshop equipped with suitable materials, enabling fishermen to maintain their equipment sustainably. These actions aim to create a collective awareness of the importance of preserving coastal ecosystems.

At the same time, a pilot coastal ecotourism initiative is being developed. This includes designing ecotourism circuits that will allow visitors to discover the beauty of the coasts while respecting the environment. An information and orientation center are also being set up to inform visitors about best practices to adopt.

The project also plans to launch a dedicated website for the fishermen’s cooperative, which will serve as a platform for marketing the ecotourism circuits. This site will promote local ecotourism and strengthen the economy of coastal communities.

Project Information:

• Association: Moroccan Association for the Development of Coastal Ecotourism in the SIBEs of Jebha and Ghomara
• Project Amount: €29,700.00
• Execution Period: 18 months
• Contact: +212 612 81 44 19
• Address: Rabat, Avenue des F.A.R – B.P. 3210, El Massira, C.Y.M
• Email: amdap.maroc@gmail.com
• Project Photos: the Flickr link to the project album https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB47Bh

Through this project, the association hopes not only to protect marine resources but also to provide new economic opportunities for local fishermen while raising community awareness about the importance of sustainable management of marine ecosystems.