For the 2024 summer season, the Blue Flag label will be flying on 27 beaches, four marinas and, for the first time in Morocco, a mountain lake. This demanding international ecolabel was introduced in Morocco in 2002 by the Fondation Mohammed VI pour la protection de l’environnement (FEE or the Foundation) [Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection], chaired by Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa. A total of 32 sites have been awarded the Blue Flag, ranking Morocco 18th out of 43 countries in the Northern Hemisphere in terms of the number of sites awarded the Blue Flag, an ecolabel created by the FEE. It is the Arab country with the most Blue Flags, and the second most in Africa.

All 27 beaches awarded the 2023 label have renewed their Blue Flag status, demonstrating the commitment of all stakeholders to maintaining the label’s high standards throughout the summer season.

For the first time in Morocco, a mountain lake has been awarded the Blue Flag label: Aguelmam Azigza in Khénifra National Park. Nestled between a long cliff and a forest of centuries-old Atlas cedars, this “green lake” is an unspoilt gem in the Middle Atlas. The local communities and authorities have decided to develop this very popular site in Khénifra and the surrounding area, including access roads, service buildings, camping areas and sanitary facilities. A project that the Foundation has supported by awarding it the Blue Flag label.

The Blue Flag will be awarded to Tanja Marina Bay, the fourth marina to do so, after Saïdia in 2018, Est Marina Smir in 2022 and Al Hoceïma in 2023, and is a natural extension of its development. Opened in 2018 as part of the reconfiguration of the port of Tangier, it is now the largest marina in the kingdom, with 1,400 berths. Its modern and comprehensive facilities, particularly for waste management, earned it the eco-label at the first attempt.

The label is awarded on four main criteria: bathing water quality, environmental information and awareness, hygiene and safety, and development and management. Unannounced checks are made throughout the summer season to ensure that label sites comply with these criteria.

Blue Flag beaches are all part of the Clean Beaches program, which includes over a hundred of the country’s busiest beaches. Over the next three months, 66 local authorities, supported by their supervisory authorities, Morocco’s Local Authorities Department (Direction Générale des Collectivités Territoriales), all the administrations involved in coastal management, 26 economic partners and more than a hundred local associations will be deploying their resources to raise awareness and educate summer visitors, monitor the quality of bathing water and sand, equip beaches, ensure safety and sanitary coverage, and enforce law and order.

Ocean and beach pollution is a major concern for the Foundation, which has been rolling out operation bharblaplastic since 2019. This initiative aims to raise awareness of plastic pollution on a massive scale, and to collect and recycle waste on the beaches. In 2024, this campaign will be held for the fifth time and has become a benchmark, with all Blue Flag beaches taking part. This initiative is recognized and integrated into the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences for Sustainable Development, of which the Foundation is a stakeholder.