Clam culture grounds.

The high market demand for the carpet-shell clams in Europe and their exploitation have induced a drastic decrease of natural stocks and, to a certain degree, their extinction in the coastal wetlands of Morocco. National and international development agencies are encouraging the local fisherwomen to implement small scale and extensive clam culture programmes so that natural stocks can be restored and exploited in a sustainable manner.

Washing net bags in lagoon waters to recover remaining clams.

This project will evaluate the impacts of such extensive clam culture operations on the biodiversity and the functioning of two lagoons in Morocco and will recommend measures to regulate such operations for the safeguard of the environment.