Institut National de Recherche Halieutique (INRH)

What Institut National de Recherche Halieutique (INRH) does

INRH (Institut National de Recherche Halieutique) is a Moroccan public scientific research institution established in the late 1990s and headquartered in Casablanca. Operating as an "établissement public à caractère scientifique" under the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests, INRH is the country's sole dedicated institute for fisheries, oceanographic, and marine environmental research. It serves the Moroccan government (Ministry of Fisheries, ONP, ONSSA, ANDA), the fishing industry (artisanal, coastal, and industrial fleets plus 90+ seafood processing plants in Agadir), and regional/international bodies (ICCAT, CGPM, COPACE, FAO, IFREMER). Its mandate includes producing the annual scientific report on the state of fisheries resources, providing stock assessments and quota-setting advice, monitoring marine environmental quality and shellfish sanitary status, and supplying the scientific basis for the Plan Halieutis national fisheries strategy.

INRH's core scientific infrastructure comprises 6 regional centres (Nador, Tanger, Casablanca, Agadir, Laâyoune, Dakhla) covering the entire Moroccan coastline from the Mediterranean to the Mauritanian border, plus 3 specialized centres (CSZIAM M'diq for aquaculture engineering, CSVTPM Agadir for seafood valorization and biotechnology, CSPAA Tanger for aquatic animal pathology). It operates 5 research vessels including the flagship Al Hassan Al Marrakchi and the newly inaugurated catamaran AMAN, alongside laboratory infrastructure accredited to ISO 17025 covering biotoxin analysis (HPLC, LC-MS/MS), histopathology, bacteriology, virology, molecular biology (PCR), ADCP acoustic Doppler profiling, ROV submarine inspection, and Ecopath ecosystem modeling. Technology assets include satellite-derived oceanographic monitoring, hydrodynamic and biogeochemical models for the Atlantic South (PR4-RETRO), and a patented process for collagen extraction from sardine scales.

INRH's business model is anchored in annual state budget allocations (420 MDH per the homepage) with supplementary project-based grants from national and international programs and a modest layer of fee-for-service laboratory and technical assistance work for private clients. Revenue is non-commercial; monetization occurs through regulatory influence, IP licensing of patented seafood valorization processes, and technology-transfer services to private aquaculturists under ANDA-coordinated extension programs. Scientific outputs are delivered to government and industry through 9 ongoing programs (PG1-MILIEU through PG9-OCEANO), 4 multi-year research projects (PR1-HABITAT through PR4-RETRO), and formal cooperation agreements, with results distributed via the institute website (inrh.ma), the Observatoire Halieutique platform (ohm.ma), peer-reviewed publications, and participation in ICCAT, FAO, and Salon Halieutis venues.

Name

Institut National de Recherche Halieutique (INRH)

Legal name

Institut National de Recherche Halieutique

Website

https://inrh.ma

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

INRH is Morocco's national public institute for fisheries, oceanographic, and marine environmental research, operating 9 regional and specialized centres and 5 research vessels to deliver stock assessments, sanitary surveillance, and aquaculture science to the government, fishing industry, and international bodies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Fisheries Research

NAICS

Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Surveying, Inspection & Claims (EDAOANAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Surveys, Testing & NDT (Thickness Gauging, UT/MPI, Pressure Testing, Commissioning) (TLAHAMAK), Regulatory & Sanctions Compliance Screening for Maritime Operations (Trade Controls, AML) (TLAHANAL)

Keywords

• Marine fisheries research
• Aquaculture science
• Oceanographic monitoring
• Stock assessment
• Marine biotechnology

Headquarters

HQ city

Casablanca

HQ country

Morocco

HQ region

Africa

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Institutional Funding: INRH is a public scientific institution under the Moroccan Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, and Water and Forests. Its primary funding comes from annual government budget allocations (420 MDH as stated on the homepage), supplemented by project-based funding from national and international research programs, and potentially service fees for technical expertise and lab analyses.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

INRH is Morocco's national public research institute for fisheries, oceanographic, and marine environmental sciences. It conducts direct and indirect stock assessments of marine fisheries resources, oceanographic and environmental surveillance of coastal and offshore ecosystems, sanitary monitoring of shellfish production zones, aquaculture research and development, seafood valorization and biotechnology, and provides scientific advisory services to government and industry through a network of 9 research centres and a fleet of 5 research vessels.

Product overview

INRH is a Moroccan public research institution operating a comprehensive fisheries and marine science research platform. The organization offers multiple interconnected surveillance programs (PG1-PG9) monitoring marine environment, seafood safety, aquatic animal health, fisheries resources, and aquaculture; research projects (PR1-PR4) studying marine habitats, pelagic dynamics, primary production, and trophic contamination; and nine geographically distributed research centers (6 regional centers and 3 specialized centers) providing localized scientific expertise and infrastructure. Key offerings include direct and indirect fisheries assessment, oceanographic monitoring, aquaculture development support, seafood processing innovation, and marine pathology diagnostics, with a fleet of 5 research vessels enabling at-sea data collection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PG1-MILIEU Environmental Monitoring Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Conducts annual stock assessments for all major Moroccan fisheries covering Mediterranean, Atlantic North, Atlantic Centre, and Atlantic South zones.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature16 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IFREMER (Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026INRH and IFREMER signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on June 1, 2026 in Brest, France. The partnership aims to advance sustainable fisheries research, oceanographic monitoring, aquaculture development, and shared scientific expertise between Morocco and France. This is a flagship bilateral scientific cooperation in the fisheries and marine sciences domain.
• ANDA (Agence Nationale pour le Développement de l'Aquaculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANDA is the national agency responsible for developing Morocco's aquaculture sector. INRH collaborates with ANDA across multiple programs including PG7-IRDRAMM (aquaculture innovation), PG3-ZOOSANITAIRE (aquatic animal health), and site identification for aquaculture zones. ANDA provides policy and investment framework while INRH provides scientific and technical support.
• ONSSA (Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONSSA is the Moroccan food safety regulatory authority. INRH supports ONSSA through its sanitary surveillance programs (PG2-SANITAIRE, PG3-ZOOSANITAIRE) by providing laboratory analysis of biotoxins, contaminants, and pathogens in seafood products, and by contributing to shellfish production zone classification. INRH's CSVTPM is pursuing ONSSA recognition for its quality management system.
• ONP (Office National des Pêches)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerONP manages the operational regulation of Moroccan fisheries. INRH works with ONP on stock assessment data provision, fishing effort monitoring, fleet characterization, and scientific support for fisheries management decisions. ONP is also represented on INRH's Board of Directors.
• ICCAT (International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINRH scientists participate in ICCAT's scientific working groups for stock assessment of large pelagic species (bluefin tuna, swordfish, blue shark, mako shark). Morocco is a contracting party to ICCAT, and INRH's scientific contributions are essential for establishing catch quotas and management measures for Moroccan fishing vessels.
• FAO / CGPM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean) / COPACEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINRH participates in FAO subsidiary bodies and regional fisheries commissions (CGPM for the Mediterranean, COPACE for the Eastern Atlantic) contributing scientific data and participating in working groups for shared stocks, sustainable fisheries management, and marine ecosystem assessment.
• CCLME (Canary Current Large Marine Ecosystem Project)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA FAO-coordinated regional project addressing the sustainable management of the Canary Current large marine ecosystem spanning Northwest African waters. INRH participates contributing Moroccan data and scientific expertise to this transboundary marine ecosystem project.
• Moroccan UniversitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerINRH collaborates with Moroccan universities (mentioned in PR1-HABITAT, PR2-PEPDYN, PR3-PPDRIVERS, PR4-RETRO, PG7-IRDRAMM) for joint research projects, student supervision, data sharing, and knowledge transfer. Partner universities participate in research program governance and implementation.
• FENIP (Fédération Nationale des Industries de Pêche)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Federation of Fishing Industries (FENIP) represents Moroccan seafood processing companies. CSVTPM Agadir works with FENIP on the joint AMI (Appel à Manifestation d'Intérêt) project developing new seafood products, providing technical assistance, and supporting industry innovation.
• Cluster Agadir HaliopôleminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe Agadir Haliopôle cluster brings together fishing industry companies, research institutions, and training bodies in the Agadir region. CSVTPM collaborates with the cluster for technology transfer, industry networking, and joint innovation initiatives.
• BlueBelt ProgrammeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlueBelt (referenced in the INRH website footer with a logo link to bbi.ma) appears to be a program or initiative related to sustainable fisheries and marine biodiversity, potentially connected to INRH's surveillance and monitoring activities.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IFREMER: France's national institute for marine and fisheries research, with a mandate similar to INRH for stock assessment, oceanographic monitoring, and aquaculture R&D. IFREMER is already INRH's principal bilateral partner (June 2026 MoU) and operates the closest comparable organisational model across the Mediterranean.
• NIWA (National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research): New Zealand's national institute for water and atmospheric research, operating research vessels and providing scientific advice on fisheries, aquaculture, and marine ecosystems. Comparable to INRH in integrated oceanographic and fisheries research delivery to government.
• CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science): UK agency combining fisheries science, aquaculture research, and marine environmental monitoring. Operates surveillance programs, accredited laboratories, and research vessels on a comparable scale to INRH, serving as a model for integrated marine science delivery to government.
• ISMAR-CNR (Institute of Marine Sciences, Italian National Research Council): Italy's principal marine research institute within the National Research Council, covering oceanography, marine ecology, and fisheries science in the Mediterranean. Operates research vessels and laboratories analogous to INRH's Mediterranean and Atlantic centres.
• FRA (Japan Fisheries Research and Education Agency): Japan's national fisheries research agency, combining stock assessment, aquaculture R&D, and marine monitoring. Particularly comparable to INRH given Japan–Morocco historical cooperation (Maroco-Japanese cooperation established the original CSZIAM M'diq station in 1997).
• Institute of Marine Research (Havforskningsinstituttet): Norway's national institute for marine research, providing scientific advice on fisheries management, aquaculture, and marine ecosystems. Closely comparable to INRH in mandate, structure (research vessels, surveillance programs, stock assessment outputs to government), and policy-advisory role.
• IEO (Instituto Español de Oceanografía): Spain's national oceanographic institute, conducting fisheries assessment, oceanographic monitoring, and aquaculture research across Iberian Atlantic and Mediterranean waters. Directly comparable to INRH in mandate, governance structure, and program portfolio (surveillance, stock assessment, aquaculture R&D).

Broad incumbents

• CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation): Australia's national science agency, with substantial marine and fisheries research capacity including aquaculture R&D and oceanographic monitoring. Broader mandate than INRH but operates comparable surveillance, modelling, and biotechnology programs that inform national fisheries policy.
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO): Canadian federal department integrating fisheries science, oceanography, and marine environmental protection. Structurally comparable to INRH's integration of fisheries research, oceanographic monitoring, and aquaculture support under a single national mandate.
• NOAA Fisheries: US federal agency responsible for fisheries science and management under NOAA. Operates on a much larger scale than INRH but shares the model of providing scientific advice to government on TACs, quotas, and protected species — and engages INRH through ICCAT and other RFMOs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institut-national-de-recherche-halieutique-inrh-

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Subsidiaries9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Institut National de Recherche Halieutique (INRH)