The Lebanese Environment Forum (LEF) organized a seminar and a traveling exhibition on marine reserves at FeghalO Restaurant in Fghal, Batroun. This marks the fifth activity in a series of exhibitions along the Lebanese coastline aimed at raising awareness, fostering participation, and advocating for the “Marine Protected Areas Network (MPAs)” project, implemented by the The Lebanese Environment Forum in partnership with the University of Balamand and supported by the European Union.
The seminar was inaugurated by the president of LEF, Engineer Malek Ghandour, who welcomed the attendees and emphasized that supporting marine reserves is a national and ethical duty. He highlighted the cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, expressing hope that this collaboration would result in tangible achievements, particularly the issuance of the legal framework for the Marine Protected Areas Network. This framework is being drafted by the Lebanese Environment Forum in collaboration with legal experts. Ghandour also praised the efforts of environmental organizations, underscoring the importance of civil society initiatives and individual contributions in addressing gaps and creating necessary awareness.
Elias Qaddissi, the president of the environmental association in Fghal, spoke during the event, commending the activity and reaffirming his support for the “Marine Protected Areas Network in Lebanon.” He also emphasized the activation of the association’s role within the framework of LEF to cooperate in protecting what remains of Lebanon’s beautiful coastline.
The project manager, Rebecca Bessary, delivered a detailed presentation highlighting the project’s key achievements, the challenges it faces, and its future goals. She emphasized the ecological, social, and economic significance of the Marine Protected Areas Network. Following her presentation, a film about the project was screened.
Dr. Shadi Andari from the Ocean Diaries Association gave a presentation on the association’s key activities, including rehabilitating sand dunes and creating enclosures for shells or fish nurseries in harbors. These initiatives aim to support the reproduction of vulnerable fish species, develop local fish habitats, and provide shelter for small fish, protecting them from ships, overfishing, larger predators, and invasive species from the Red Sea, which threaten their population. The goal is to allow these fish to grow and eventually thrive in open waters.
Subsequently, Mohammad Ayoub, the president of the “Nahnou” Association, presented the association’s activities and outlined a roadmap for coastal protection. His plan included the necessity of drafting a comprehensive coastal zoning plan, identifying public maritime properties, updating the maritime public property regulation (Decision No. 144 of 1925), and forming a Maritime Public Property Committee.
At the conclusion of the seminar, participants engaged in a fruitful discussion about enhancing collaboration among environmental organizations to combat harmful practices affecting the coastline and their negative environmental impacts. The attendees reaffirmed their support for the Lebanese Environment Forum’s campaign, titled “Don’t Dump in the Sea,” which aims to prevent the dumping of war debris into the sea for landfilling purposes. Instead, the campaign advocates for sorting and recycling methods for reuse in quarries, roads, and construction projects.
As a token of appreciation, the Lebanese Environment Forum presented a commemorative shield to FeghalO Restaurant in recognition of its support and commitment to achieving the objectives of the Marine Protected Areas Network project in Lebanon. The participants also signed a petition endorsing and supporting the Marine Protected Areas Network.
