Beirut, September 4, 2024: The Ministry of Environment, IndyACT and the Lebanese Environment Forum (LEF), organized a seminar titled “The Role of Marine Protected Areas in Fisheries Management,” under the patronage and presence of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Nasser Yassin. The seminar focused on the relationship between biodiversity conservation and fish stock recovery, with studies demonstrating that marine protected areas can compensate for the depletion of fish stocks by exporting surplus fish from within the protected area to adjacent regions.
In his opening remarks, Minister of Environment Dr. Nasser Yassin announced, “The Ministry of Environment is currently updating its National Biodiversity Strategy to align with international commitments. This strategy includes achieving a network of marine protected areas covering 30% of Lebanese waters by 2030.” IndyACT President Hala Kilani emphasized that the establishment of a network of marine protected areas is not only an environmental necessity but also an economic one. Kilani pointed out that studies have shown that such a network is our best chance to restore fish stocks, which provide livelihoods for over 100,000 Lebanese and supply food to many.
IndyACT presented a technical overview of the importance of marine protected areas in fisheries management, followed by a panel discussion with experts on the subject. The discussion underscored the need for the establishment of a network of marine protected areas as part of Lebanon’s economic recovery plan. As fish stocks continue to deteriorate, the threat to livelihoods in Lebanon grows. The fishing community in Lebanon is among the most marginalized and impoverished groups, with over 100,000 people relying on fishing as their primary source of income. Additionally, a wide range of people benefits from the fish caught, including restaurants, hotels, and coastal resorts. The discussion emphasized that the current situation for fishermen in Lebanon will not improve unless a network of marine protected areas covering 30% of Lebanese waters is established to restore fish stocks. The discussions also addressed the legal and policy frameworks necessary for the effective management of marine protected areas, with a focus on the importance of involving the local community in the protection and management of these areas.
Experts recommended that the current marine protected area strategy developed by the Ministry of Environment to be enhanced and that the specific areas to be included within the 30% target be accurately identified. They also recommended increased cooperation between the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment on this matter, as marine protected areas under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment are also essential for managing fish stocks, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Agriculture.