Maghreban wetlands priority issues discussed by RENAZH network
The North African wet zones network (RENAZH) started discussions, here on Tuesday, to put into final form priority cooperation issues and plans for the management of Maghreban wetlands.
The RENAZH second meeting, held in the Moroccan capital city to ponder means to implement the network activities, made a proposal on collaboration between MedWet initiative and wet zones tutelage administrations in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
A communiqué of the Moroccan water and forest department said the RENAZH meeting is to find a compromise enabling the conciliation of economic development needs and the protection of the environment and ecosystems in selected wetlands in the Maghreban region.
For this purpose Morocco chose the Merja Zerga marshes, close to Moulay Bouselham, some 100 km North of Rabat coastal line, to carry out RENAZH goals, namely by training personnel to manage the wet zone and updating the plan to ensure a scientific follow up of the protection of its ecosystem.
The Merja Zerga programme includes the inception of a centre on environment education and the organisation of women handicraft activities in the region.
Merja Zerga is a wetland of 7,000 ha, located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco, adjacent to a small coastal town that serves as a centre
of attraction for domestic and regional tourism. It consists of a large coastal lagoon with extensive intertidal mudflats, subtidal sea grass
and fringing marshes, and can be considered as an coastal wetland.
The main problem is the use of the wetland as a public good. All levels of society in the area unanimously agree that the wetland is
important and that life without it would be very difficult; however, they use it without considering the durability of resources.
There is significant urban sprawl and demographic growth in the region.
Pastureland has declined due to overgrazing. Fish have decreased in size and number due to overfishing. The water table has dropped
due to the illegal construction of wells depleting the freshwater influx into the lagoon.