King Mohammed VI inaugurated Tuesday in the town of El Argoub, province of Oued Ed-Dahab, the “Azura Aquaculture” hatchery, a pilot project whose cost is estimated at 81 million dirhams.

The project, which is part of the implementation of “Halieutis,” the national development strategy of the fisheries sector, will contribute to the sustainability of resources and promotion of marine species farming.

The “Azura Aquaculture” hatchery will make it possible to process and market nearly 970 tons of oysters, clams and abalone, and will decrease animal health risks entailed by the importation of foreign species.

“Azura aquaculture” houses a two-hectare hatchery fitted out with state-of-the art equipment, including water filtration systems, phytoplankton production, reproduction and fertilization facilities, a laboratory, a micro-nursery and a nursery and a packaging workshop.

This fish farm station is one of the flagship projects of the new model of development of the southern provinces, launched by the Sovereign on the 40th anniversary of the Green March.

This project is part of the aquaculture development plan in the region of Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab (2015-2020) which includes the construction, for a total investment of 2.8 billion dirhams, of 878 production units in three geographical areas, namely the Dakhla bay (520 units,) the Cintra bay (243) while 115 units will be located in different spots between these two bays.

These projects, managed by the National Agency for Aquaculture Development, are expected to generate some 3,350 direct jobs and produce nearly 115,450 tons of fish and shellfish per year.

Last Monday, the sovereign inaugurated in the port of Dakhla, a new fish market whose construction required some 26 million dirhams and a seawater desalination vessel “Oued Massa.”