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"Parasols" return to M'diq-Fnideq beaches despite ban
๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Morocco /Culture & Society

"Parasols" return to M'diq-Fnideq beaches despite ban

From Hespress · () Arabic

Translated from Arabic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • "Parasols" have reappeared on beaches in the Moroccan city of M'diq-Fnideq, despite a ban on exploiting beach areas without legal permits.
  • Beachgoers are being charged for umbrella and chair rentals, raising questions about the legality and beneficiaries of these operations.
  • Local authorities are urged to enforce the ban and ensure free access to public beaches.

Despite a decision to prohibit the exploitation of several beach areas in the M'diq-Fnideq prefecture due to a lack of legal permits, "parasols" have returned to the beaches, raising questions about the effectiveness of field monitoring and the extent of intervention by competent authorities.

Observations on several beaches within the prefecture, including the Tamuda Bay coastline, reveal that the placement and use of sun umbrellas continue by individuals exploiting public property. These operators offer services for a fee, with umbrella rentals costing 30 dirhams and chairs priced at 10 dirhams each, according to observations made at the location.

The persistence of this situation during the peak summer season has caused dissatisfaction among beachgoers, particularly at "Capella" and "Almina" beaches. Clashes have reportedly occurred between operators and some visitors, despite the presence of an authority official who selectively confiscated some chairs and umbrellas in a seemingly symbolic gesture.

Beachgoers question the financial charges for using umbrellas and chairs, especially given the absence of clear and announced permits. This situation raises concerns about the nature of this activity and who benefits from its revenue, particularly in light of previous decisions aimed at curbing illegal exploitation of public beach property.

Those angered by the situation are calling on local authorities and monitoring bodies to resolve the issue. They demand adherence to the ban decisions and an end to any unlicensed commercial exploitation of beach areas, while also preserving the right of beachgoers to free access to the beaches and the use of public maritime property.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hespress in Arabic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.