Title: Development of Aquaculture in Moroccan dam lakes for climate change adaptation

Biography:

Full professor at the Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane, Beni-Mellal, Morocco. He is a Director of research and Head of the Environmental Engineering team, He is also Editor-in-chief of the Journal of Water and Environmental Sciences and an Environmental and aquaculture expert. 

 

Abstract

Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture or ecologically intensive aquaculture is an appropriate way to improve fish productivity and strengthen ecosystem services.

According to the FAO (2016), inland aquaculture production accounts for 64% of total aquaculture production, thus exceeding marine production by 14%.

Cage aquaculture is currently one of the fastest growing segments of aquaculture production in the world and forecasts indicate that its potential for development is considerable.

Thus, the development of combined aquaculture systems may constitute a relevant ecological intensification pathway at the level of Moroccan dam reservoirs. FAO (2013) proposed the adoption of an Ecosystemic Approach in Aquaculture. It involves combining a semi-intensive or intensive cage culture with an extensive traditional polyculture management based on the restocking operations carried out by Water and Forests administration.

In order to properly manage the potential of dam reservoirs for the development of rural aquaculture, a fish management system (SAP) has been developed to accurately estimate the optimum production to be developed, the number and size of location of the concessions to be allocated, species and storage densities to be fixed, rules and technical conditions to be respected. The SAP will also propose the appropriate management methods for a better valuation of products and better involvement of local populations (Hasnaoui & Droussi, 2017).

The fish management system was structured around four axes:

• Development of extensive aquaculture to ensure a profitable artisanal fishery through the optimization of fish productivity of dam reservoirs.

• Development of small-scale cage aquaculture adapted to the context and conditions of each environment.

• Establishment of a mechanism for managing aquaculture resources that benefits local populations.

• Promotion of organic aquaculture for a better valorization of fish products.