One would have to be crazy to announce that one wants to be exhaustive on the vast subject that the sea represents. The organisers of the first Sea Forum, which closed on Saturday in El Jadida, did not have this pretension. On the other hand, they fully intend to broaden the range of themes debated during the next edition.

For this trial run, converted into a masterstroke, more than 50 speakers outlined and exchanged perspectives to give reality to our dream of seeing Morocco register in a participatory logic around its coastline and its maritime space.

“This forum will make history” had announced André Azoulay, advisor to the King, during the opening of the event last Wednesday. At the end of four rich and intense days, punctuated by presentations and debates, one can no longer doubt it.

All the Moroccan and European experts stressed the importance of the creation of this Sea Forum, as its issues need to be studied and debated within civil society itself.“The political class is working on these subjects of course. But, it is essential that all Moroccans take hold of these questions to move forward and develop strong ideas to put into application.”

Hassan Oukacha, president of the Federation of Maritime Fisheries.

Oceanographer, fishermen, historian, maritime law lawyer, representative of the ONEE, the OCP, the ADEREE, navigator,... all highlighted the need to work together to develop and protect the riches that our 3,500 km of coastline offer us.

The speakers especially insisted on good governance which must be the priority to make the innovative ideas defended during these four days concrete.

One cannot summarise all the debates and workshops that punctuated this Forum, and the organisers will soon publish the work and conclusions that emerged from the “Sea Forum” ship.

However, the presentations of projects such as seawater desalination plants, local approaches to the sustainable development of our coastline interconnected with the hinterland, the development of water sports or even the diligent control of fishing to safeguard our halieutic resources, must be registered through actions.

Historians have called for a maritime museum, which is so lacking in our country, fishing professionals wish to see the birth of a Ministry of the Sea, and defenders of sustainable development intend to lead projects such as offshore wind turbines and also advances in the framework of micro-finance, intended for artisanal fishing.

So many requests and proposals whose evolution the Sea Forum will follow on the ground.

Having landed in El Jadida on Saturday, the “Sea Forum” boat will set sail again next year, with new themes, in order to once again be the springboard for the country's maritime innovations and development.