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| GENERAL STATUS |
| The National Park
was established in 1992. concerning the marine area,
The project of creation proposes a zoning according
to uses and activities as follow : -a marine strict
nature reserve (1.600 hectares), - a sustainable natural
resource use marine zone or buffer zone (15.600 hectares).
The protected marine part extends until 3 nautical miles
offshore (about 5.5 km), using the fisheries legislation
in order to prohibit trawling. The strict marine reserve
covers 500 m from the shore (which corresponds to a
depth of 40 to 60 m) while the remaining part until
3 miles remains open to local fishermen activities,
accessible through four channels |
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| GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION |
| Al Hoceima National
Park is located on the mediterranean coast of Morocco,
about 50 kilometers east Gibraltar straight, near the
city of Al Hoceima, Province of Al Hoceima. |
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| AREA |
| The marine area
covers almost 17200 hectars. |
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| BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ELEMENTS |
The marine area
is under the influence of the Atlantic waters entering
the Mediterranean through Gibraltar, so the species
are from the two origins.
One of the peculiarities of the marine flora is the
presence of Laminaria rodreguizii. For the marine fauna,
the Mediterranean Monk seal has recently (last 10 years)
disappeared from this area, but is still visiting it
every year. The fish fauna is rich (more than 100 species),
and in particular numerous groupers (Epinephelus sp.)
of different ages, the area being certainly a spawning
and nursery area. Offshore, dolphins are present and
a famous high quality red coral (Corallium rubrum) can
be found on the rocky substrates. The avifauna is rich
(about 80 species), with in particular: osprey (Pandion
halieatus), Audouins's gull (Larus audouini), white-eyed
gull (Larus cachinans), Bonelli's eagle, golden eagle,
lesser spot eagle, the Griffon vulture, chough and short
toed eagle. The dozen of pairs of ospreys and the last
census indicating 38 nesting areas make this area the
second most important site of the Mediterranean, after
the Scandola Protected Area in Corsica (about 20 pairs).
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