The State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries announced on Friday, August 4, a ban on the harvesting and sale of shellfish from the classified Oum Toyour-Chouika shellfish area in the Essaouira region. The ban will remain in effect until the area is fully cleared.
The decision follows analysis by the National Fisheries Research Institute (INRH), which found marine toxins in mussels from the area at levels exceeding permitted standards, according to a statement from the State Secretariat for Maritime Fisheries.
Consumers are advised to buy only packaged shellfish products bearing official health identification labels and sold at authorized outlets, including official markets.
Shellfish carried or sold loose cannot be guaranteed to be safe and poses a risk to public health.
