Participation in Al Hoceima

Background

The coast of Al Hoceima is located in the central part of northern Morocco, along the Mediterranean Sea. Two large units can be distinguished within the Coast: the Al Hoceima Bay (marked by a large alluvial plain) and the Al-Hoceima National park. The coastal zone of Al Hoceima benefited for the past decade from two important projects-the MAP CAMP and the “Destinations” project. PEGASO has capitalized these benefits especially regarding the awareness of the local stakeholders about ICZM principles. All these projects had/have the same objective: to contribute to the socio-economic opening up of the area, while ensuring the protection of its coastal resources.

Initial considerations

For the prospective analysis and scenario building process several local stakeholders, representing local authorities, funding agencies, natural resources management bodies, National Park authority as well as NGO's have been involved to exchange and share perceptions and visions about sustainability of their coastal zone.

Modifications and Realization

Two workshops with focus groups have been organized. During the 1st workshop participants discussed on the most relevant indicators to be applied (50 indicators, covering the four pillars of the Sustainable Development have been proposed and discussed. Based on present and past changes, two possible futures (Business as Usual and Alternative/desirable scenarios) have been conceived and discussed with the stakeholders. During the 2nd workshop, the debate was focused on the impacts of the Souani tourist project.

Experiences made and lessons learned

The results obtained allow learning operational lessons on ICZM implementation in terms of efficiency, performance and progress of governance modalities. The following recommendations reveal fundamental ICZM principles which should be continuously applied, namely:

• Public awareness raising and participation to be carried out at the level of collective practices, dialogue, exchange of opinion and mediation.
• Data and geographic information management being of vital importance for a successful development of ICZM efforts as it ensures a link between knowledge and making right decisions.
• Construction of sustainability indicators must be a result of a collective reflection of stakeholders.

Source: PEGASO

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