Analyses for the development of fisheries and mariculture value chains in Morocco

The World Bank, through its Programmatic Analytical and Advisory Services (P-ASA), is actively supporting the Government of Morocco in developing a sustainable blue economy as part of the Maghreb Blue Economy and Coastal Zone Management Programme (MENA Blue) - Phase II. This initiative, implemented in conjunction with the Blue Economy Programme for Results, aims to strengthen national food security, stimulate economic development and job creation, and ensure effective management of natural resources. The fisheries and aquaculture sectors are essential to Morocco's blue economy, contributing significantly to the country's GDP and employment. Recognising the potential for sustainable growth, the World Bank has studied Morocco's coastal aquaculture sector and identified key areas for improvement. In this context, the World Bank is seeking to conduct an analysis of fisheries and mariculture value chains to identify investment opportunities and policy reforms that could improve the sector's performance and resilience to climate change.

The main objective of this study is to assess a sample of existing value chains, selected and validated by Moroccan public institutions, focusing on capture fisheries and mariculture, but excluding inland freshwater aquaculture. The study aims to identify the constraints and opportunities for growth in the sector, develop a value chain development plan and recommend the necessary policy reforms and investments. This plan will define strategies to sustainably increase production and productivity, create jobs and income opportunities, and thus contribute to the overall economic and social development of the Moroccan fisheries and mariculture sector.

• Conduct a literature review to identify key knowledge gaps and potential data sources.
• Organisation of a kick-off workshop to present the methodology to key stakeholders.
• Collect data on production, trade, markets, processing and employment, including social and environmental aspects.
• Undertake a value chain analysis of selected fisheries and mariculture species.
• Mapping of value chains to provide a visual representation of actors and product flows.
• Conducting a final market analysis to assess prices, demand and barriers to market access.
• Conduct a performance assessment to identify factors limiting value chain performance.
• Conducting SWOT analyses of the selected value chains.
• Assess the training capacity for the jobs identified in the value chains.
• Analyse costs, benefits, income distribution and losses in the value chains.
• Assess market structures, coordination failures, investment risks and gaps.
• Conduct a social analysis to assess labour rights, land rights, water rights and food security issues.
• Conducting an environmental sustainability analysis to examine the impact of value chains on the natural environment.
• Identify opportunities for expansion or development of new activities in the value chain and investment potential.
• Propose value chain development and investment in consultation with stakeholders.
• Organise a validation workshop to present the value chain analysis project and development plan.