INITIATIVE 9: WEB ARTICLE
On page: http://www.mountainprotection.theuiaa.org/ under NEW THIS YEAR
On http://www.mountainprotection.theuiaa.org/initiatives/11-biodiversity_conservation
page
Title Abstract: How ecotourism supports aquaculture biodiversity in Ifrane Park,
Morocco
Abstract : The Moroccan Association for Ecotourism and Nature Protection has
developed a fish tourism program promoting the local aquaculture biodiversity and the
preservation of water resources of Middle Atlas.
Duration: juin 2013 - juin 2015
PROJECT PAGE:
Title: Eco touristic development of endangered fish species and aquaculture
biodiversity in Ifrane National Parks and High Oriental Atlas
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Our project is about the conservation of natural resources of Moroccan mountains.
The project highlights its natural potential, its rich biodiversity and its role in
maintaining the water cycle. The enhancement of the biodiversity will be achieved
through the promotion of an ecotourism circuit called ''on the footsteps of the fario
trout fish”, a fish species endangered in the Moroccan Atlas.
The ecotourism tour is composed of:
1 – A school for fishing and nature, which will be the starting point for exploring the
lakes, rivers and the natural resources they contain. It is a platform to educate
tourists, visitors, children and the local population about a code of good practice to
respect the fragility of the aquatic ecosystems of the mountains and especially to
contribute to the conservation of fishery resources.
2 – the Atlas Lakes tour , which includes the best lakes and rivers of the Middle Atlas
to form a themed trail -based on water cycle and the maintenance of biodiversity as
the best indicators of healthy ecosystems . Promoting “NO KILL fishing” is one of the
ecological activities that develops passion to fish without touching at the fish capital
of the region.
3 - the possibility to stay at the locals’ houses during the tour ''on the footsteps of
the fario trout fish” as a way to combine nature and local culture, a form also of
involvement of the rural population in the marketing of this product and to reap the
economic benefits of ecotourism. This action also aims to provide an alternative to
those whose daily income is based on the exploitation of natural resources. It is a sort
of compensation to reduce the pressure on the biodiversity of lakes and rivers of the
Atlas in general.
4 – the organisation of the Federation of Fishing Associations. The Moroccan
Association for Ecotourism and Protection of Nature helps this federation to convert
its activities into green fisheries and promote fishing as a new sector in the country
which can be economically viable and ecologically sustainable. The project has helped
train members of the federation, has established its headquarters and build the
capacity of its member associations. Already the first national competition of
ecological fishing was organized in April 12, 2014 under the theme '' ecological
fishing serving aquatic biodiversity '' and it is the first NO KILL fishing contest held in
Morocco.
5 - the promotion of an environmental education among rural children of the
mountain is an action that seeks to discover the nature and mountain biodiversity to
those who are the first actors of its regression. This is to prepare the future
generation for the challenges of climate change and its effects on life in the
mountains.
MAKING TOURISTS DISCOVER A NEW PASSION: “NO KILL FISHING''
The impact of this project on clients revolves around the following points:
- receive an innovative product at the national level: an ecotourism tour that includes
both the information, learning, recreation and entertainment.
- Customers will experience the role of mountains in the conservation and recycling
of large water cycles and in biodiversity;
- Customers also will know that their passage, and their contribution to the local
economy, has a great impact on the conservation of mountain resources contributing
to the improvement of living conditions of people who live there.
- Guests will discover a new passion'' fish without killing'', “fish and put back in the
water”, but will also discover the richness of nature and spend time without any
negative impact on environment.
LOCAL POPULATION ACTING AS “NATURE FACILITATORS”
The project has already recruited “nature facilitators'' among the local population.
Three people are trained and committed to lead hikes, provide environmental
education and to support the tour “on the footsteps of the brown trout”. The
identification of a cottage for homestay is the next step. The project will upgrade
the hosting structure and train its owners to provide a quality product that satisfies
both the constraints of nature conservation and the requirements of local
development. The choice of a cottage will be based on the identification of the
tour and its route. Among the local population, no kill fishing teachers will be hired
to conduct practical sessions at the fishing school and also to serve as a fishing
guide fishing on the tour. A total of four monitors are identified and trained for
this purpose.
AN INNOVATIVE TOURISM OFFER INCLUDING ADULTS AND CHILDREN
This activity will put on the responsible tourism market a new niche called '' “no kill
fishing” and a tour called “on the footsteps of the fario trout'', a discovery tour about
aquatic biodiversity, ignored until now. The added-value is mainly to increase
environmental awareness among tourists and visitors of the natural environment. We
will offer an attractive example of touristic offer called'' family'' where parents and
their children attend the same fishing course and hike together to discover the life
cycle of the fario trout, an endangered species.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
The project is implemented currently by a team of people, a project manager, 3
nature facilitators and a minibus driver responsible for bringing the rural school
children to help them discover the cycle of the fario trout and water resources in
general. This team is being trained and its capacities enhanced in order to better
manage the project and provide a good quality product and a model at the national
level.
CONTACT
Brahim ABOUELABBES
Email. ass_maroc_ecotourisme@yahoo.fr; b_abouelabbes@yahoo.fr
site web: www.amepn.fr.gd (please include the link to their website)
FACEBOOK: https://fr-fr.facebook.com/ParcNationalDIfrane