Traveling Mobile Workshop and Exhibition on the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Network in Damour

As part of a series of exhibitions along the Lebanese coast, the Lebanese Environmental Forum (LEF) organized the sixth edition of its mobile workshop and exhibition in Damour to raise awareness about the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Network and advocate for biodiversity conservation in Lebanese waters. Under the patronage of Minister of Environment Nasser Yassin and in collaboration with the Municipality of Damour, the event was held at Damour Public High School, bringing together experts to discuss the ecological, social, and economic significance of MPAs.

Assaad Serhal, Director General of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), and Malek Ghandour, President of LEF, participated in the event. They joined Antoine Nassar, Deputy Mayor of Damour, in a working meeting to explore the possibility of designating a protected area along the Damour coast, known for its rich biodiversity, unique coastal landscape, and fertile agricultural lands.

During the workshop, speakers highlighted the MPAs Network’s role in marine species conservation, ecosystem protection, and economic benefits for coastal communities through eco-tourism and sustainable fishing. The event also included an in-depth presentation on the local significance of the Damour site, emphasizing the urgent need to protect Lebanese beaches from pollution and overfishing.

The exhibition showcased successful environmental initiatives, with experts and environmental professionals presenting studies and innovative projects addressing marine conservation challenges. The event served as an interactive platform for knowledge exchange, fostering collaboration among specialists and the public.

A key highlight was the signing of a petition in support of the MPAs Network, a significant step toward mobilizing public support for stronger coastal and marine protection measures.

About the Project

The “Conducting an Evidence-Based National Non-State Actors Campaign for a Marine Protected Areas Network in Lebanon” project, implemented by the Lebanese Environment Forum in partnership with the University of Balamand and funded by the European Union, aims to establish an effective MPAs network in Lebanon. The project advocates for the protection of Lebanon’s coastal and marine biodiversity through a science-based, non-state actors’ advocacy campaign.

Its key objectives include:

1. Strengthening a national advocacy campaign through science-based evidence to support MPAs.
2. Enhancing the implementation of Lebanon’s official Marine Protected Areas Strategy.
3. Advocating for the passage of two essential draft laws—Integrated Coastal Zone Management and Fishing Law—necessary for effective MPA governance.

The MPAs Network Forum

The MPAs Network Forum serves as a platform for information-sharing, capacity-building, and coordination among non-state actors involved in marine and coastal conservation in Lebanon. It focuses on leveraging science-based evidence to declare new MPAs and establish a functional MPAs network.