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Morocco Demolishes Illegal Beach Structures in Coastal Cleanup Operation
Monday 12 February 2024, by
The local authorities of the prefecture of M’diq-Fnideq have launched a vast operation to free up the public maritime domain. Dozens of illegally installed establishments on the beaches have been demolished.
The operation started in the town of Martil, where buildings built without authorization on the beach have been demolished, sources indicate, adding that the coastal strip of the province of Fahs-Anjra is also affected by this operation.
The same operation is underway in the city of Tangier where the illegal occupation of the public maritime domain is more pronounced. On the Malabata beach, large spaces have been privatized by cafes and restaurants, with the complicity of certain elected officials. The inhabitants of the city welcome this action by the authorities, which will allow them to fully enjoy the beach.
In a study carried out about a year ago, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) stressed the need to prohibit construction within 100 meters of the sea and to free up the beaches in order to guarantee access to citizens.
The Council recalled that Morocco’s coastline extends over more than 3,500 km and that the economic activities carried out there contribute 83% to the kingdom’s gross domestic product and generate more than 50% of jobs. In this dynamic, the Council recommended taking measures to enhance the coast, while ensuring the preservation of the environment.