Located in Quartier Industriel Anza Agadir, Morocco, Cibel is the product of a merger between the following manufacturing units, all specializing in fishmeal and fish oil production: Oued Souss Conserves, Smic, Sac, and Tan Tan.¹ It’s considered one of the “biggest companies in the South of Morocco.”² A Google review from user Ayoub Bighrassn in 2019 stated the plant was “polluting the sea.”³ Broad concerns have arisen regarding pollution along the coast of Agadir, where the Cibel plant is located. One scientific study that assessed 40 different coastal sites for “scenic degradation and visual pollution” classified many as “degraded” as a result of activities including “urbanization, erosion, marine wracking, litter, sewage, beach driving, and animal waste.”⁴

Cibel had 59 vessels in its fleet, according to a 2024 list from Friend of the Sea. All its vessels were purse seines with the exception of one trawler, and they were all authorized to target European pilchard, Atlantic chub mackerel, and European anchovy.⁵ The vessels included the Cetus, Aachak, Aala 2, Abou Mohamed, Aghbalou-2, Al Akhchabain, Al Boraq, Al Forqan, Al Hikma-2, Al Housna-2, Amanouz-3, Amellagou, Assoul, Atigue, Boulmal, El Baakili, Hamdan, Lillah, Issam-4, Lamghari, Mardi Lwalidin, Oumayma-3, Qenwan, Rafii-3, Retaj, Safa-5,Safoua, Sayf Allah, Sayf El Islam, Semouss, Sidi Mogdoul, Aitor-2, Sunnanland, Tidzi-2, Haddou-2, Akram-2, Attawhid-2, Dina-3, El Falah II, El Kachte, Al Moufid - II, Essabbar, Faouzi-2, Imassen, Jaloua-2, Jenine, Kortoba 1, Lamghari, Masr, Mouhcine-3, Selwan, Takoumba-4, Timitar, Louiz, Ayour, Bissat Al Khair, Fidaa-3, Quba, Al Yousser-1, and Nour Esslam.

Cibel S.A. did not respond to a request for comment.⁶