Beirut – 16 April 2025

The Ministry of Environment, in partnership with IndyACT and the Palm Islands Nature Reserve, organized the first workshop dedicated to developing a National Action Plan to protect the Mediterranean monk seal, with broad participation from local and international experts, representatives from relevant ministries, research centers, universities, and environmental organizations.

This workshop is part of a series of four aiming to protect one of the rarest marine species in the Mediterranean Sea, which Lebanon is committed to conserving under the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea.

The first workshop focused on sharing available data on the species, assessing the threats it faces along the Lebanese coast, and laying the foundations for collaboration and coordination among concerned stakeholders.

In her speech, Lara Samaha, Head of the Ecosystems Department at the Ministry of Environment, emphasized the importance of this initiative as a first step in protecting this symbolic creature. She highlighted the Ministry’s commitment to supporting scientific and field-based efforts in this area.

Samaha stated:

“Drafting a National Action Plan to protect the monk seal is a crucial step toward developing a unified national vision and defining the roles of various stakeholders in protecting this rare and endangered species.”

She added:

“This action plan affirms Lebanon’s commitment to regional cooperation, especially the implementation of the Regional Action Plan for the conservation of the Mediterranean monk seal, which calls on signatory states to develop national action plans.”

IndyACT emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors and civil society, and presented a timeline for upcoming workshops, outlining the key stages for reaching an effective national plan.

Samer Fataft, Director of the Palm Islands Nature Reserve, gave a presentation on a study he conducted on the presence and habitats of the Mediterranean monk seal in northern Lebanon. He stressed the importance of preserving coastal sea caves, which are used by the seals for birthing and raising their pups.

Fataft stated:

“There are very few sea caves in Lebanon that host monk seals. When we destroy them—or even enter them—we are threatening their lives and their natural habitat.”

About the Mediterranean Monk Seal:

• The total number of adult Mediterranean monk seals in the Mediterranean Basin is estimated at only 350 to 450 individuals.

• Female seals in the eastern Mediterranean typically give birth between October and November each year.

• Coastal sea caves are critical for resting and breeding. These caves are the seal’s home, and when humans enter them, we are actually intruding on their lives and environment.

• Monk seals are skilled divers, with recorded dives reaching 429 meters, although most dives are less than 200 meters deep.

• They are capable of traveling long distances, up to 300 kilometers in a straight line, with females showing more roaming behavior than males.

Main threats facing the species:

1. Accidental killing by fishermen or boat collisions.

2. Pollution.

3. Destruction of natural habitats, especially the sea caves used for shelter and reproduction.

4. Overfishing, which leads to a decline in food sources.

This program is supported by Monk Seal Alliance and the Med Fund