93% of Moroccan Beach Waters Meet Quality Standards
A new national report has revealed that 93% of swimming waters at Moroccan beaches met microbiological quality standards in 2024, marking a 5% increase from 2021.
Presented in Rabat today by Leila Benali, Morocco's Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, the report is part of the ongoing National Program for the Monitoring of Bathing Water Quality and Beach Sand.
It assessed 199 beaches and 488 stations across the country, highlighting significant improvements in water quality. This is a substantial increase from the 79 beaches monitored in 2004, reflecting a nearly 152% rise in the number of beaches being evaluated for water and sand quality.
The report also monitored the condition of beach sand, conducting sampling campaigns at 64 beaches to assess the volume and origin of marine waste. Between 2021 and 2024, the volume of waste collected dropped by 21%. Despite this progress, plastics remain the predominant waste found on beaches, accounting for 86% of all collected debris. Notably, cigarette butts, plastic caps, lids, and candy wrappers comprise more than half of the waste.
Benali emphasized the importance of the annual report in preparing for the upcoming summer season. She noted that local authorities and beach managers are being mobilized to ensure continued progress, especially with the help of innovative monitoring tools.
While the improvement in water quality is notable, Benali acknowledged that plastic pollution continues to be a significant challenge. 'Eighty percent of marine waste comes from land-based activities,' she said, urging the promotion of ecological solutions and circular economy initiatives to address the problem.
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Benali also underlined the ongoing success of Morocco's 'Clean Beaches' programs and the 'Blue Flag' label, encouraging sustainable beach management practices as part of a partnership with the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Protection of the Environment.
The minister praised the efforts of institutional partners, local authorities, and civil society organizations but called for even more initiatives to achieve a 100% compliance rate. She also emphasized the importance of tools like the 'Iplages' app, which allows citizens to track beach water quality and actively contribute to preserving these ecosystems.
The evaluation and classification of bathing waters are conducted in accordance with the Moroccan standard 'NM 03.7.199,' a regulation that has been gradually implemented since 2014 and fully applied to all beaches meeting classification criteria since 2019.
The continued expansion of monitoring programs, combined with digital tools like the Iplages app and sustainability initiatives show that Morocco is on the right path.
However, reaching full compliance and tackling land-based pollution at its root will require not only stronger policy enforcement but also a cultural shift toward ecological responsibility at every level of society. Tags: blue flag beachesIplagesleila benaliMoroccan Beaches
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