Al Hoceima National Park (Arabic: المنتزه الوطني للحسيمة, Tarifit: Afrag Anamur n Lhusima) is a national park near the town of Al Hoceima in Morocco. The park spans an area of 480 km (185 sq mi), which includes 196 km (76 sq mi) of ocean. It was established in 2004 and is managed by the Haut-Commissariat des eaux et forêts et de la lutte contre la désertification.

Geography

Al Hoceima National Park is located on the north by the Mediterranean Sea for 50 kilometers and on the south by National Road 16. It is home to some of the most untouched coastal areas on Morocco’s northern coast, as well as high cliffs and a mountainous interior. The park covers an area of 480 square kilometers (185 square miles), which includes a land area of 284 square kilometers (110 square miles) on the Ibaqouyen Rif mountain range and a marine area of 196 square kilometers (76 square miles). The land part includes parts of five communes, listed from west to east: the coastal towns of Bni Boufrah, Senada, Rouadi, and Izemmouren (located between Bni Gmil and Al Hoceima), as well as Ait Kamara, which is to the south of Izemmouren.

The park is known for its high limestone cliffs and a rugged rocky coastline that has been used very little over the years.

Flora

In the national park, 110 species of vascular plants have been identified. Some of the trees found there include the barbary thuya, Aleppo pine, lentisk, wild olive, carob tree, Kermes oak, green oak, Mediterranean dwarf palm, and jujube. Shrubs and grasses grow between the cliffs and rocks, creating different homes for animals.

The marine area is affected by both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. This region is covered with large groups of seaweed, including Cystoseira sp., Saccorhiza polyschides, Laminaria ochroleuca, Laminaria rodreguizii, Phyllariopsis purpurascens, and Phyllariopsis brevipes. A total of 264 seaweed species have been recorded in this area.

Fauna

In the Mediterranean Sea, a large group of ospreys lives near the water. Three types of dolphins live in the area: the common dolphin, the common bottlenose dolphin, and the striped dolphin. Sometimes, sea caves offer protection to the endangered Mediterranean monk seals. Three kinds of sea turtles, including the loggerhead, leatherback, and green sea turtles, eat food in this region. More than 100 different fish species have been found here, along with the rare giant ribbed Mediterranean limpet (Patella ferruginea).