Morocco's National Agency for the Development of Aquaculture (ANDA) and the University of Algarve are studying the best way they can cooperate in producing farmed fish which is an undeveloped sector in Morocco, according to ANDA's director Maarouf Majida.
The director said he wants exponentially to increase the current Moroccan annual output of 700 tons aquaculture fish and that this was the reason for his two day visit to the Algarve region during which he aimed to collect information and promote joint projects and scientific investigation.
In 2014, the Portuguese production of fish via aquaculture exceeded 10,000 tons with many varieties scientifically tested for suitability including oysters and sturgeon, according to the director of the Marine Science Center (CCMAR) at the University, Tiago Magalhães.
According to Majida, the Moroccan consumption of fish is high, as is the Portugues and the fact that there is a University in the Algarve specialising in marine science is an added bonus for the establishment to any future partnerships and transfer of knowledge.
Tiago Magalhaes said there is an opportunity that Portugal should not miss, since Morocco is a country with "a lot of people willing to invest" and there are many businesses that can develop around aquaculture.
"The issue of sustainability will force us to develop aquaculture", said Magalhes, noting that it is not possible for a market with such a high demand to continue to depend only on species from the open ocean.
In Portugal, the main species produced via aquaculture is turbot, followed by clams, mussels, oysters, bream, trout, sea bass and sole.
