Seminar and Exhibition on Marine Protected Areas 1 – Tripoli

The first session of seminars and the traveling exhibitions along the Lebanese coast for the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) network was organized by the Lebanese Environmental Forum  in the city of Al-Mina – Tripoli, under the patronage of the Governor of Tripoli, Mrs. Iman Al-Rafie, and in the presence of representatives of the Members of Parliament: Mr. Tony Frangieh, Mr. Ashraf Rifi, Mr. Taha Naji, the Governor of Bsharri, Mrs. Ruba Al-Shafshak, and representatives from the Bar Associations and the Engineers Association.
The event was organized by ten associations from the Coalition’s members in the Tripoli area, 26 volunteers, and 62 representatives from civil society organizations. 131 people signed a petition in support of the Marine Protected Areas network.
The seminar was coordinated by Mr. Bishara Habib, a member of the Palm Islands Nature Reserve Management Committee.

1. The seminar was opened by the President of the Coalition, Engineer Malik Ghandoor, with a welcoming speech highlighting the high level of participation from the city, which declared the Palm Islands as the first legal marine reserve, due to its significance as an important site for birds and a habitat for sea turtles.
2. The Governor of Tripoli and Acting Mayor of Al-Mina, Mrs. Iman Al-Rafie, gave a speech in which she expressed the importance of the project, the quality of the activities, and her strong support for the Marine Protected Areas network.
3. The Director of the MPAs project, Engineer Rebecca Baissari, presented a visual presentation about the project, its goals, methods of operation, and the expected results of activating existing reserves and declaring more important sites and river mouths and marine depths for protection.
4. The head of the Palm Islands Nature Reserve Committee presented a visual presentation about the reserve and proposals for its development and the promotion of ecotourism.
5. Successful experiences were presented by the Environmental Care Committee, the Environmental Education Association, the Equality Association, and the Our Ideas Association.
6. A general discussion took place with suggestions to support and advocate for the Marine Protected Areas network.
7. Participants then moved to the exhibition, held as part of the Mina Festival 2024, where there was interactive engagement between visitors, exhibits, and accompanying activities, including drawing, expression, opinion registration, and signing the petition in support and advocacy of the Marine Protected Areas network.