Lifting of the Ban on Shellfish in Oum Toyour

Lifting the Ban: The State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries announced on Monday the lifting of the ban on the collection and sale of shellfish products in the classified area of Oum Toyour Chouika, located in the Essaouira region.

According to the official statement, this decision follows the evaluation by the technical committee monitoring the marine environment, which reviewed the results of analyses conducted by the National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH). Tests carried out in the shellfish farming zone have confirmed environmental stability and total purification of the mussels, affirming their compliance with health standards.

The State Secretariat, however, reminds consumers to obtain only packaged products that are properly labeled and distributed through authorized sales points, specifically official markets and controlled supply chains.

The administration warns against shellfish sold in bulk or illegally traded, as these products lack health guarantees and pose a serious risk to public health.

This lifting of the ban marks an important step toward revitalizing shellfish activities in the Essaouira region while reaffirming the commitment of Moroccan authorities to food safety, coastal monitoring, and sustainable management of shellfish areas.