Complexe du bas Loukkos. 15/01/05; Larache; 3,600 ha; 35°07'N 006°00'W. Site of Biological and Ecological Interest, Zones d'Intérêt pour la Conservation des Oiseaux au Maroc. A unique complex of wetland types on Morocco's Atlantic coastline, including estuarine waters, shallow marine waters, salt steppes, freshwater swamps and floodplains, in addition to rice paddies in drained areas and a number of abandoned salines. It hosts a number of vulnerable or near-threatened species at the international scale, such as the Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) and the Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), as well as at the national scale, including among others the Squacco and Purple Herons, the Red-crested Pochard and the Marsh Owl. The site also presents large water lily and Salix expanses, rare for Morocco, and plays an important role in groundwater recharge and flood control. The main activities around the site are agriculture, livestock raising, salt production, and tourism. These are also the main causes of eutrophication, water diversion upstream, and dredging of some areas for further agricultural development. The "Déclaration de Larache 2002" is a project in the pipeline which involves eight governmental and non-governmental partners in contributing to the conservation and sustainable development of this site. Ramsar site no. 1475. Most recent RIS information: 2005.

Larache