Risks to Morocco's Mediterranean coasts: reality and impacts

Coastal erosion is a major issue in the Mediterranean region, with complex social and economic impacts that threaten the natural and cultural heritage of nearly half its coasts.

Two field visits stand out in my memory, showcasing the effects of climate change. The first was to the northern shore of the Greek Mediterranean coast, and the second to the Atlantic coast of Rufisque in Senegal. Since then, the issue of coastal erosion along Morocco's Mediterranean coast has stayed with me, prompting an exploration of this silent encroachment on land and the rising sea levels in a journalistic approach to raise awareness.

The coastal environment is constantly changing, with erosion and coastal shifts posing significant challenges to coastal infrastructure. Modern data on coastal changes and erosion are crucial for coastal managers, enabling decision-makers to identify and mitigate the effects of coastal erosion.

Morocco's Coastal Profile

Morocco’s coastline, with both Mediterranean and Atlantic fronts, boasts significant ecological diversity and forms the cornerstone of national development. However, rural-to-coastal migration and urban expansion have intensified pressures on this environment. Around 60% of Morocco’s population now resides in coastal cities, alongside industrial, tourism, and port activities. Compounding this, approximately 70% of hotel wastewater and 90% of industrial wastewater are discharged untreated, alongside over-exploitation of sand dunes, both terrestrial and marine. These factors render Morocco’s coasts highly vulnerable to climate change.

To address this, Morocco enacted Coastal Law No. 81.12 to protect and sustainably manage its coastal areas. The law aligns with the Barcelona Convention, particularly the protocol on integrated coastal zone management, aiming to reconcile environmental, social, and economic imperatives. Despite these efforts, interventions in coastal areas often remain sectoral, underscoring the need for integrated and precise management approaches. Institutional and other stakeholders must collaborate to align projects and actions with sustainable development trajectories.

The Need for a Source-to-Sea Approach

Professor Michael Scoullos, an oceanographer and President of the Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture, and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) in Athens, stated in an interview with  "Maroc environnement" (https://marocenv.com) that coastal erosion is a significant issue in the Mediterranean, with complex socio-economic impacts threatening the natural and cultural heritage of nearly half the region's coasts. Human activities like urban and tourism development, coupled with climate change-induced phenomena such as droughts, storms, floods, sea level rise, and changes in ocean circulation, exacerbate the problem. Scoullos stressed the need for comprehensive policies and interventions that extend beyond the coastal zone, encompassing the entire basin and maritime activities through an integrated source-to-sea approach.

Coastal Drift Dynamics in Tetouan

To understand the interplay between coastal morphodynamics, geomorphological frameworks, and human interventions on Mediterranean beaches in northwestern Morocco, Dr. Abdelmounaim El Mrini, a marine environment researcher at Abdelmalek Essaadi University in Tetouan, highlighted in an "Maroc environnement" (https://marocenv.com) interview the unique characteristics of Tetouan's coastline. Stretching approximately 40 kilometers, this high-priority area for coastal tourism development features beaches with variable widths and constant morphological changes due to wave and wind forces.

Dr. El Mrini explained that waves, often coming from the east and northeast, create a primary coastal drift current moving northward. This natural process divides the coast into two zones based on sediment movement. The southern zone, south of the rocky headland "Ras Al-Aswad," is shielded from the strongest northeast waves and receives significant sediment deposits from the M’diq River. These sediments are redistributed by coastal drift until they meet the headland, creating wide beaches with medium to well-sorted sand and, in some areas, sand dunes.

Conversely, the northern zone beyond “Ras Cabo Negro” faces stronger waves, leading to sediment withdrawal into the sea. With no major sediment sources, these beaches are narrower and more susceptible to erosion. Human interventions, such as sediment trapping in dams and disrupting natural coastal exchanges by constructing ports and destroying sand dunes for urban developments, further complicate the dynamics. Integrated management of this coastline, including understanding its changes and influencing factors, is critical to ensuring the sustainability of services like tourism.

Monitoring Coastal Erosion in Tangier

Kenneth Mubea, Capacity Development Manager at Digital Earth Africa, revealed in an "Maroc environnement" (https://marocenv.com) interview that satellite data from the program showed erosion levels on Tangier's coast among others in Africa. Using Landsat satellite data ready for analysis (ARD) at a 30-meter resolution, the Digital Earth Africa monitoring service mapped changes in the African coastline from 2000 to 2023.

These data offer valuable insights into annual coastal erosion and accretion trends at local and continental levels. They enable decision-makers to prioritize and evaluate the impacts of coastal management based on historical shoreline changes. The data also shed light on how coastlines respond to change drivers, such as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and human development, providing a foundation for sustainable coastal management strategies.

The Impact of Climate Change on Morocco's Mediterranean Coastline

Professor Abdellatif Khattabi, President of the Moroccan Association for Regional Sciences, considers climate change one of the most pressing environmental challenges in the Mediterranean region, with far-reaching effects on ecosystems and human systems. Among its consequences, rising sea levels pose a significant threat to coastal areas, where millions of people live, and where numerous economic activities, such as tourism and fishing, directly depend on ecosystem health.

Professor Khattabi notes that the direct effects of climate change on coastal areas, coupled with sea-level rise, intensify phenomena such as coastal erosion, lowland flooding, and increased storm frequency. These impacts generate high economic costs, damage coastal infrastructure, and increase stress on ecosystems—particularly due to changes in salinity and persistent flooding—threatening their ecological balance and natural regulatory functions. Communities relying on coastal resources for livelihoods, including fishing, agriculture, and tourism, are especially vulnerable. The loss of natural resources and vital infrastructure may exacerbate social and economic inequalities, necessitating urgent intervention to mitigate these destructive effects.

The Nador Region: A Case Study of Coastal Challenges

In Nador, located on Morocco's Mediterranean coast, the effects of climate change are especially evident. Rising sea levels pose a direct threat to local ecosystems and economic activities. The region’s coastline, home to unique ecosystems such as the Marchica Lagoon, is at significant risk from accelerated beach erosion and increasingly frequent marine storms. These factors lead to shoreline retreat, jeopardizing coastal infrastructure and local livelihoods.

The Marchica Lagoon, one of Africa’s largest lagoons, faces significant water-related changes, including increased salinity and disruptions to freshwater cycles. Such changes threaten traditional fishing activities that many local inhabitants depend on. Furthermore, eco-tourism, vital to the region’s economy, is in decline due to coastal erosion and inundated lands, undermining the area’s appeal as a tourist destination.

The Need for an Integrated Response

Nador exemplifies the broader challenges facing Mediterranean coastal regions. Sea-level rise is an environmental, social, and economic issue requiring an integrated and proactive approach. To safeguard these areas, it is essential to enhance coastal infrastructure, protect sensitive ecosystems like wetlands, and implement sustainable adaptation strategies.

Dr. Khattabi urged local authorities, in partnership with the government and international organizations, to develop innovative solutions. These measures could include constructing robust infrastructure to mitigate damage caused by floods and storms, restoring and preserving coastal ecosystems as they play a crucial role in natural shoreline protection, and raising awareness among local populations while involving them in sustainable resource management initiatives.

Coastal Erosion in Aklim Village: A Clear Example

Coastal erosion is notably evident along the Mediterranean shore in northern Morocco, especially in the sandy strip of the Marchica Lagoon, specifically in the Al-Muhandis area. Here, the coastline has retreated several meters, and the sandy barrier has been eroded (forming a 3-4 meter escarpment). The previously parallel road has disappeared.

Said Azouagh, Eastern Region Coordinator for the Moroccan Group for Bird Protection, highlights erosion in the eastern area of Aklim Beach, known for its vacation villas. The beach and escarpment have eroded significantly, with the sea encroaching on buildings, some of which have collapsed or were recently demolished by authorities as a precaution. In Marchica Lagoon, sea levels have risen by 10 to 20 centimeters, submerging some islands (the Twin Islands) and inundating areas once used by tern species for summer nesting.

Preserving the Future for Generations to Come

The Nador region offers a microcosm of the global challenges posed by climate change in coastal areas. Ensuring a sustainable future demands collective and coordinated responses that integrate immediate protection measures with long-term adaptation strategies. Protecting these regions not only ensures the survival of local communities but also preserves their unique environmental heritage for future generations.

El Hadi El Ouarti, President of the Forum for Urban Planning, Environment, and Development, highlighted that Greater Nador is one of Morocco's most dynamic urban areas, home to around 320,000 residents and boasting unique natural features. These include extensive agricultural lands (10,000 hectares of irrigated land in the Bouarg Plain), advanced infrastructure such as modern ports (supporting maritime navigation and fishing), and thriving coastal tourism thanks to its beautiful beaches. Additionally, Martchika Lagoon, one of the Mediterranean's most significant lagoons, is classified as a Site of Biological and Ecological Interest (SIBE) and a Ramsar site.

However, El Ouarti noted that the region faces growing challenges from climate change, which threatens its environment and socio-economic systems. These challenges include floods that increasingly endanger cities and infrastructure. Populated areas like Nador, Azghanghan, and Beni Ansar suffer frequent flooding, causing significant material damage. Flooding also impacts agricultural lands, particularly in the Bouarg area, jeopardizing biodiversity and local food security. Coastal infrastructure deterioration and erosion degrade the quality of life and increase maintenance costs.

El Ouarti emphasized that rising sea levels and coastal erosion pose significant threats to coastal regions, such as Arkaman Village, leading to beach degradation and the destruction of natural habitats for coastal species, including those around Martchika Lagoon. He also highlighted the effects of drought and water scarcity, which reduce water resources and irrigation capacity in agricultural zones. Biodiversity is directly affected by desertification and salinization, harming natural ecosystems.

To address these challenges, El Ouarti called for good governance and strategic planning. He stressed the need for an integrated flood risk management plan that includes resilient infrastructure and natural protection zones. This should be complemented by effective urban planning policies to limit the exploitation of flood-prone areas. Coastal zone management should focus on projects that enhance resilience against erosion and rising sea levels and implement policies to protect environmentally significant lagoons.

To tackle water scarcity, he recommended improving irrigation systems, adopting water-saving technologies in agriculture, and advancing agricultural research to enhance crop efficiency under drought conditions. Capacity-building initiatives, community awareness campaigns, and training for local populations and decision-makers on climate change adaptation are also essential. He underscored the importance of involving various stakeholders, including universities and non-governmental organizations, in policy development and implementation.

El Ouarti stressed the need to promote scientific research and international collaboration, particularly in universities, to develop science-based climate solutions. Establishing partnerships with international organizations to secure funding for climate projects is equally critical.

Addressing the climate change challenges facing Greater Nador requires the concerted efforts of local governance, civil society, and the private sector. By adopting comprehensive and sustainable strategies, Greater Nador can become a model for coastal cities that successfully adapt to climate change while preserving their environment and economy for future generations.

A Call to Action

Tackling climate change challenges in Greater Nador requires the combined efforts of local governance, civil society, and the private sector. By adopting comprehensive and sustainable strategies, Nador can serve as a model for coastal cities that successfully adapt to climate change while preserving their environment and economy for future generations.

This issue was the focus of a recent workshop held in Nador to mark International Climate Day (December 8), under the theme "Climate Action: Our Responsibility, Not an Option." The event, organized by the Environmental Prospects Center for Media and Sustainable Development, in partnership with the Moroccan Association for Regional Sciences and other organizations, aimed to raise awareness and mobilize stakeholders to enhance community and infrastructure resilience along Morocco's Mediterranean coast.

This report was produced with the support of the Earth Journalism Network, as part of the Mediterranean Media Initiative.