Morocco Declares 22 Beaches Unsafe for Swimming in Summer 2024

According to the annual report of the national program for monitoring the quality of bathing waters and beach sand, recently published by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, 22 beaches are classified as unfit for swimming for the 2024 summer season. The affected stations are located in the coastal regions of Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Casablanca-Settat, Souss-Massa and Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab.

In detail, the non-compliant beaches for swimming are Calabonita, Quemado, Sabadilla and Torres in the province of Al Hoceima; Les amiraux (Playa Blanca), Tanger Municipale, Jbila III, Sidi Kacem and Assilah Port in the prefecture of Tanger-Asilah; Petite Plage and Miami in the province of Larache; Salé in the prefecture of Salé; Aïn Atiq in the prefecture of Skhirat-Témara; Essanawbar (David) in the province of Benslimane; Mannesman in the prefecture of Mohammedia; Grand Zenata, Petit Zenata, Nahla Aïn Sebaâ, Chahdia and Oued Merzeg in Casablanca; Aftasse in the prefecture of Agadir-Ida-Outanan; and Likheira in the province of Oued Ed-Dahab.

Wastewater discharges, pollution inputs from watercourses, high concentration of bathers and insufficient sanitary infrastructure are the causes of the degradation of these beaches, the report states, recommending the implementation of effective measures to sanitize the beaches and maintain clean the sanitary facilities in the bathing areas.