Benslimane Province: Launch of the 2026-2027 Hunting Season in Casablanca-Settat

Benslimane – The Casablanca-Settat Regional Directorate of the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF), in partnership with the Royal Moroccan Hunting Federation, officially launched the 2026-2027 hunting season on Sunday in the Benslimane Province. The season is organized under the theme “Strengthening Hunting Tourism in Morocco,” and officials, professionals, and representatives of hunting tourism companies were present.

This event offers hunters in the region the opportunity to practice their favorite activity and contribute to the sustainable management of game resources.

Hunting tourism is a key driver for enhancing the value of game resources and natural and rural areas, stimulating the local economy, and strengthening Morocco’s appeal as a hunting destination, while ensuring the sustainable management of game resources and the preservation of biodiversity.

On this occasion, the regional director of ANEF, Boubker Foughali, stated that hunting activity has seen positive developments in the region in recent years, noting that the number of hunters has reached nearly 8,000.

He added that the beneficiaries of hunting leases include 169 associations and 39 hunting clubs, specifying that the total area of ​​leased lots has reached nearly 500,000 hectares, reflecting the importance of leasing as a mechanism for the sustainable management of game resources.

He recalled that the previous hunting season had also seen positive growth in the sector at the regional level, with more than 8,000 hunters.

Since the launch of the national strategy “Forests of Morocco 2020-2030,” initiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the area of ​​leased land in the region has increased from 316,440 to 491,276 hectares, while the number of leased plots has risen from 179 to 198, Mr. Foughali continued, noting that this period has also been marked by strengthened partnerships in raising awareness and training hunters, combating poaching, and preserving biodiversity.

To ensure the smooth running of this season, he continued, the Regional Directorate, in coordination with its provincial services and various partners, including association presidents, hunting leaseholders, tourist hunting companies, representatives of the Royal Moroccan Hunting Federation, and local authorities, has taken a series of measures aimed at raising awareness among all stakeholders about the importance of respecting the regulations governing this activity, combating unregulated hunting, and ensuring compliance with the species and quotas authorized in accordance with the annual decree for the current season.

Mr. Foughali called on hunters and all stakeholders to comply with the applicable legal and regulatory measures, particularly the daily hunting quotas, protected areas, and hunting season opening days.

For his part, the provincial director of ANEF in Benslimane, Nabil Cherradi, indicated that the province is a prime forest area, noting that the forest cover exceeds 58,000 hectares, representing nearly 25% of its total area.

The richness of its plant biodiversity and Benslimane’s strategic location make it a prime destination for ecotourism and hunting, he continued, adding that the province has more than 63 leased hunting areas, divided between hunting associations and tourist hunting companies, for more than 600 hunters across an area of ​​approximately 130,000 hectares.

On the occasion of the opening of the 2026-2027 hunting season, Mr. Cherradi noted that ANEF (National Agency for Hunting and Wildlife) staff and technicians are supporting this operation by supervising and monitoring hunting activities, particularly by verifying the documents that hunters are required to present, including firearms permits, insurance documents, membership cards from the Royal Moroccan Hunting Federation, and hunting licenses, as well as documents related to hunting migratory and resident birds.

This support aims to ensure a safe and organized start to the season, while reminding hunters of the provisions of the annual decree concerning hunting seasons and authorized game quotas.

According to the Regional Directorate, the province of Benslimane, thanks to its strategic location near major cities, notably Rabat and Casablanca, and the richness of its natural, forest, and wildlife heritage, is a prime destination for hunting.