Marine environmental issues in Lebanon
These factors each threaten the balance of the Lebanese coastal ecosystem and, by extension, the human inhabitants of the country, such as in solid waste disposal into rivers that supply many rural villages with water and landfills in populated areas.
[2] While action is being taken to combat the loss of marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean and Lebanon specifically, there is significant damage to the ecosystem, which needs to be addressed by both local and national governments, as well as supra- and international organisations and bodies.
[7] Despite the difficulties, efforts in the cleaning process were made by the civil society and non-governmental groups, since the Lebanese government was paralyzed and lacked capacity due to the war.
Since there was a slow clean up response, the heavier crude oil to sank to the bottom, killing the marine life below that many on the coast rely on.
Being without inspection, and discharging close to the shore, oil Tankers are polluting the coast of Amsheet, Beirut, Jieh,[10] Tripoli, Zahrani and Zouk.
Also, big cargo ships coming to Lebanon transport the equivalent oil volume of small tankers, and are polluting essentially from their machinery space.
[13] Some of the new species have no natural predators in Lebanese waters, growing to proportions that threaten local fish populations and upset the balance of the aquatic ecosystem.
[17] Additionally, it is not uncommon for sewage coming from buildings on the coast to flow directly into the Mediterranean without treatment, polluting marine life and beaches.
The Costa Brava predominantly an area for women-only beaches, which are now overflowing trash, and Bourj Hammoud is home to many refugees, migrant workers and a large community of Armenians.
[25] Further, to support the large economy of scrap metal in Lebanon, migrant workers, primarily Syrian children without papers, are exploited for trash picking, and exposed to horrible work conditions, in addition to racism from local residents.
[29] Investors often commence construction of industrial complexes or leisure centres, both of which contribute to environmental stress, as well as putting an economic and social strain on the local population.
While many Lebanese and foreign tourists have shown an interest in ecotourism in recent years, pollution and lack of government funding impact the industry negatively, costing many their livelihoods.
Other Projects, such as the ReMal, a cooperative initiative launched by Lebanon, Germany and the UN aiming to improve municipal waste systems and limit the amount of pollutants reaching the Mediterranean Sea.
This project also hoped to strengthen municipal coastal unions in enforcing the Integrated Solid Waste Management Law of Lebanon, in order to reduce marine litter.
[32] A delegation of the European Union in Lebanon set up another project, whose primary focus was conducting research on marine life, including biodiversity, altering habitats and the impact of environmental stressors.
Many Lebanese nationals can no longer afford to travel abroad, partly due to economic instability and the Covid-19 pandemic, and are choosing to vacation around Lebanon's natural landscapes.
