The South Mediterranean Coastal Sustainable Development Project

Abstract

The Tangier Mediterranean Project (TMP), a strategic priority for the sustainable economic and social development of the Northern Region of Morocco, requires the construction of a sea harbor handling domestic and business activities (passengers, containers, transshipments, cereals, other goods…), a 98-ha free zone for the stocking of goods and light processing, an industrial free zone targeting exportoriented production industries, and a 125-ha duty free/trade zone. The main objective is to create jobs by attracting export oriented enterprises, develop tourism, and generate sources of income for the harbor activities. The geographical region of the project lies in an area free of any industrial activity and was until now devoted to agriculture and fishery activities. After the general presentation of the TMP, this paper will discuss ecosystem changes (aquatic and terrestrial) that will occur following the development of the project and the risks of human and ecosystem changes.