In the past the Moroccan government has noted that the water quality at most beaches in Morocco is good enough to take a plunge. There are some noteable exceptions, though. The Moroccan state environmental office has listed the water quality at the following beaches as "below satisfactory":
* Asilah: the beach near the port
* Casablanca: the beach at Aïn Sebaa
* Larache: Al Quaouss beach
* Rabat: the beaches in the city, in Salé and at Temara Plage
* Sidi Ifni: the main beach
* Tangier: Malabata and Ville (along the Boulevard des FAR) beaches
Newspaper reports have also indicated heavy pollution in the 2004 summer season at Sidi Bouzid (south of El Jadida) and Mohammedia (just north of Casablanca)
Vast improvement.
All that is a thing of the past. Now Moroccan beaches have met 90.33% of the requirements of the international quality norms, that is an improvement of 18.85% in the last nine years, revealed, Transport and Equipment Minister, Karim Ghellab.
The minister told a press briefing on the conclusions of the national report on water quality in the beaches for the 2005/2006 season that the beaches that are not in conformity with the norms comprise only 9.66% of the total beaches, against 24% nine years ago.
Ghellab said the amelioration is due to the Plages propres "clean beaches" program sponsored by the Mohammed VI Foundation for the Protection of the Environment, but also to the awareness-raising campaigns about the need to keep beaches clean.
The clean beaches program includes 300 "check points" (only 36 in 1993), and 3,149 sampling operations, said the minister. For his part, Minister of Territory Development, Water and Environment, Mohamed El Yazghi announced the launching, in 2007, of the USD 5Bn-national sanitation and wastewater treatment program. The program aims at reducing the pollution of water resources at a rate of 80% by 2015. It will be carried out in concert with the Interior ministry.
So, which beach?
Grottes d'Hercules
The beach at Grottes d'Hercules is generally clean and pleasant and tends to be very full during the holiday months of July and August. The only drawback is that the water here is noticeably colder than the Mediterranean beaches of Tangier.
Dakhla
This beach is mainly used by fisherman, and is simply too littered for bathing or sun tanning. Although there are beautiful sights of colorful wooden fishermen boats.
Plage Quemada, Al Hoceima
This beach has a reputation for always being busy and crowded; however this is no reason to stay away. It is a very clean and friendly beach
Asfiha, Al Hoceima
Asfiha beach is not recommended for swimming or beach walks, the water is very shallow (about 1 meter) and the sand dirty and sticky. Although it has a nice view of the Spanish Island a few hundred meters from the shore.
El Jadida
The beach is close to town, it is clean and pleasant, and the people are friendly and outgoing.
Lalla Fatma
This is the cleanest and most popular beach in Morocco, although swimming is not very safe, the tourists enjoy the sand, sun tanning and the tranquility.
Larache
This beach is very clean, popular, friendly and wonderful for swimming, although the waves can be a bit dangerous. There are lifeguards on duty all day.
This beautiful beach is surrounded by mountains and the white washed houses of Tangier. Unfortunately it�s not exceptionally clean, but still it is very popular.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a wonderful place to relax after the bustling markets, souks and medinas of the cities. With its beautiful beaches, vibrant harbour and a pleasant laid back atmosphere set within the 18th century battlements, it's a perfect beach resort with great windsurfing
Agadir
Agadir boasts nearly 10 kilometers of clean, undisturbed beaches, an occasional lighthouse and a mix of sand, mountain and greenery.
Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
No comments:
Post a Comment