The Dusky Grouper or Epinephelus marginatusis a native fish species in Lebanon, that is categorized as “Endangered” as part of the IUCN Red List for globally threatened species. The E. marginatus lives at sea depths ranging between 8 and 300 m, mainly in rocky reefs, and it is considered as a hermaphrodite, that is it changes from female to male. Its current global population is declining primarily due to overfishing, in addition to its slow growth rate that amplifies the effect of overexploiting it.
This edition of Al Hima magazine weaves together inspiring stories of nature conservation and community resilience, highlighting how Lebanon is being stitched back to life—one Hima at a time. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) continues its mission to preserve the country’s natural heritage by empowering local communities. A cornerstone of this effort is the BioConnect project, funded by the European Union, which has achieved three national firsts: Lebanon’s first natural park (Upper Matn), first geological park (Shouf-Jezzine), and first endowment Hima (Btekhnay).