Lebanon phase I

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS Page

ii. iii. iv.

Recommendations……………………………………

Acknowledgements…………………………………..

Abbreviations………………………………………...

5 8 8

PART I: 1.

2.

3.

3.1.

4.

4.1.

4.2.

4.3.

4.3.1.

4.3.2.

4.3.3.

4.3.4.

4.4.

5.

5.1.

5.1.1.

5.1.2.

5.2.

5.3.

5.3.1.

5.3.2.

5.4.

The Marine Turtle Survey Introduction…………………………………………..

The Status of Marine Turtles in Lebanon…………….

Materials and Methods……………………………….

Survey Time and Duration…………………………...

The Study Area……………………………………….

Geography……………………………………………

Climate……………………………………………….

Physical Features of Lebanese Coast………………...

Headlands and Cliffs…………………………………

Sand and Gravel Beaches…………………………….

Tides and Waves……………………………………..

Continental Shelf…………………………………….

Coastal Terrestrial Flora and Fauna………………….

Beach Survey Results………………………………...

Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches………………………

The South Lebanon Beaches………………………....

The North Lebanon Beaches…………………..…….

Interaction Between Fisheries and Marine Turtles…..

Protected Areas and Marine Turtles…………………

Tyre Nature Reserve…………………………………

Palm Island Nature Reserve…………………………

Review of the Survey Results……………………….

9 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 12 13 13 14 14 16 16 16 26 31 33 33 35 37

PART 2: 6.

6.1.

6.2.

6.3.

6.3.1.

6.3.2.

6.3.3.

6.4.

6.5.

7.

7.1.

7.2.

Problems and Recommendations Threats and Problems Relating to Marine Turtles…...

Predation……………………………………………..

Fisheries……………………………………………...

Habitat Loss…………………………………………..

Erosion……………………………………………….

Urban Sprawl…………………………………………

Tourism………………………………………………

Shore and Coastal Water Pollution…………………..

Hunting……………………………………………….

National and Institutional Legal Framework ……….

National Legislative and Institutional Structure……..

International Agreements…………………………….

Bibliography Cited…………………………………...

Appendices Appendix I: Maps of Surveyed Beaches Appendix II: Photos

3

39 40 40 41 41 43 44 45 46 46 46 47 48 50 57

i. SUMMARY This survey, organised by the Ministry of Environment of Lebanon with the support of the regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) and the Mediterranean Association to save the Sea Turtles was carried out 23rd July to 6th August 2001 to assess marine turtle nesting along the Lebanese coast.

In Lebanon, as elsewhere in the Mediterranean, marine turtle populations are reported to be under serious threat from loss of nesting habitat due to sand extraction, associated coastal erosion, urban sprawl and badly planned tourist development. In the marine environment, fisheries interaction causes mortalities, by persecution by fishermen, accidental capture in fishing nets and lines.

This survey provided further evidence of Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting in South Lebanon. The beaches near the town of Sour (Tyre) were found to be of particular interest, with established and predated nests observed. Moreover, in ElMansouri beach, green turtle nesting and emergence of hatchlings were observed.

From Tyre (Sour) to Rashidieh Camp, the beach shows highly valuable characteristics, with still pristine sand dunes. Along the Tyre coast, Rashidieh Refugee Camp is the only haphazard settlement to have been developed, and it threatens the uniquely undeveloped beach. In south Lebanon, between Sour and Saida there are also beaches with high potential for sea turtle nesting where predated nests and eggshells around were observed during the survey.

In the South, detailed interviews with fishermen showed that the interaction between fishery and sea turtles is a major problem, as well as highway construction/urbanisation and sand extraction.

In North Lebanon, sea turtle nesting was reported by fishermen, especially near the Syrian Border and around the Palm Island Reserve Area. The beaches near the Syrian border are partly protected, due to limited access for security reasons. The garbage and litter situation is a huge problem along the Lebanese coast. In particular, some of the beaches in the north (between Tripoli and Cheikh Zennad) are covered with a thick layer of rubbish - mostly consisting of plastic bags and bottles. The northern beaches, except those between Cheikh Zennad and the Syrian border, are mostly eroded.

The beaches between Beirut and Jounie are under heavy pressure from urbanisation.

From Jounie to Tripoli there are a limited number of beaches available for nesting, but they are already under heavy pressure from tourism.

The Palm Island beach could be an important nesting site with its protected status, but it is only 200 metres long with limited reports of loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting. However, around the Palm Island Nature Reserve, Green turtles can also be seen at sea, and local fishermen have reported both adults and juveniles.

4

Table shows distribution of beaches from South to North.

ID S-1 S-2 S-3 S-4 S-5 S-6 S-7 S-8 S-9 S-10 S-11 S-12 N-13 N-14 N-15 N-16 N-17 N-18 N-19

Name of the Beach El-Mansouri Sour Reserve North Sour

Nesting Indication

Importance

Observed Reported Potential

High High High

Qasmiye (ElBourgheliye) Yahoudiye Mahmoudiye Adloun El-Aaddousiye Saida

Observed

High

Reported Observed Observed/Reported No indication Reported

Medium High High None Medium

Er Rmaile Jiye Damour Al-Aaqaibe Jbail El-Heri El-Minie Palm Island El-Aabde Cheikh Zennad

Reported Reported Reported Reported Reported No indication No indication Observed/Reported No indication Reported

Medium/Low Low Medium Low High Medium Medium High Low/Medium High

Threats Predation Tourism Illegal Houses/ Tourism/Urbanisation/ Fishery Housing Tourism/Predation Predation Predation Tourism/Erosion Road/Erosion/Pollution /Urban sprawl Tourism Tourism/Erosion Tourism Tourism Tourism Tourism Tourism Tourism/Fishery Erosion/pollution Fishery

ii. RECOMMENDATIONS There are short-term (2002-2004) and long-term (2002-2010) actions that need to be undertaken to secure the marine turtle population of Lebanon.

Short-term (2002-2004) • A National Action Plan for Marine Turtles in Lebanon should be prepared in line with the Mediterranean Action Plan to Protect Marine Turtles (UNEP/RAC/SPA).

•

Sand extraction from the beaches, dunes and sea bottom should be stopped and/or strictly controlled.

•

Offshore sand dredging in the littoral zone should be banned at depths of less than 30m, or at greater depths if recommended by a detailed EIA.

•

Plans for the coastal highway should be revised immediately to move the route inland to avoid irreversible beach destruction.

•

Public access to the beaches can be preserved with the exception of strict nature reserve zones.

5

•

A Nature Reserve Management Plan should be prepared for the Sour Nature Reserve. Such a plan would provide better zone divisions in the area. Marine turtle nesting zones should be identified so that some protection measures can be developed.

•

Advice and guidance to the Reserve Areas Committees should be provided to help them to design their own education and awareness programmes.

•

Sensitive zones and agricultural land should be legally protected. No new sea embankment projects should be authorised. Environmental mitigation and monitoring measures should be designed and implemented at proposed coastal points.

•

A more detailed marine turtle monitoring survey of the identified potential nesting beaches, and of the marine environment should be prepared, in line with the prioritised objectives of a scientific research programme.

•

Following a detailed survey of the potential nesting beaches described in this report, marine turtle nesting beaches should be designated on the Land-use Master Plans.

•

All seaside solid waste dumping sites should be closed and ecologically rehabilitated.

•

Although the Lebanese Army shows commitment to legal requirements such as enforcing the ban on hunting and controlling illegal fishing and construction activities along the coast, the need remains for much strict monitoring and control.

•

Economic incentives, technical support, and education should be provided to fishermen.

•

Communication, environmental education, and public awareness campaigns should be designed for several target groups. In particular, fishermen, children and politicians should be prioritised. The Ministry of the Environment (MoE) should encourage NGO participation in the implementation of these programmes.

Long-term (2002-2010) • Revisions are required to Decree-Law 4810, which allows tourism resorts to lease the adjoining maritime public domain in order to double the size of their property.

•

A coastal zone law should be developed and enforced as a priority, in order to allow the sustainable use of the coastline, especially targeting vulnerable sandy beaches and dune systems.

6

•

The coast South of Tyre in Southern Lebanon, which is still mostly undeveloped, should be planned in a sustainable manner. There is great opportunity to promote sustainable-green tourism, and the sustainable development of inland villages. It should also be possible to encourage the protection of the coastal agricultural stretch, so that the authentic landscape and its biodiversity can be preserved.

•

Tourism policy and tourism plans should be in harmony with sustainable use of coast. The plans should avoid development on or near major marine turtle nesting beaches. Any type of tourism facilities should respect public access and set back requirements.

•

Agricultural lands should be protected from urbanisation. Sustainable water conservation and environmentally friendly pest management techniques should also be introduced.

•

Since the Advisory Council for the Environment is not an inter-ministerial council, but rather an advisory council to the Minister of Environment, an interministerial body may prove to be helpful in order to coordinate environmental and coastal polices.

•

Lebanon’s research institute on the marine environment, the National Council for Scientific Research (NCSR) with its National Centre for Marine Sciences (NCMS) is capable of undertaking marine and coastal research if the need to strengthen its infrastructure is covered. NCSR and NCMS could help the Ministry of Environment to monitor the state of the environment and to implement the Mediterranean Action Plan.

•

Lebanon should become party to the Bonn Convention and also participate in the Agreement on the Convention of Cetaceans of the Mediterranean Sea and the “Memorandum of Understanding” organized by the Convention.

7

iii. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This assessment was made possible thanks to the support and cooperation of the Lebanese Ministry of the Environment and UNEP/RAC/SPA(MAP) and The Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles (MEDASSET).

We would like to thank Mr. Atef Ouerghi, RAC/SPA(UNEP/MAP) Expert Marine Biologist, for his help and support, which made this survey possible.

Special thanks to Dr. Berj Hatjian, Head of Environmental Protection Directorate, and Mrs. Lena Yarmout, Focal Point for RAC/SPA, for their support during the fieldwork.

We would like to thank Lily Venizelos for her important background work.

Our sincere thanks to Mrs. Mona Khalil for providing information concerning the occurrence and nesting of green turtles in Lebanon and for allowing us to use her fieldwork data. Also for her kindness and invaluable help during the survey.

Special thanks to Mrs. Tima Khalil for providing documents and sharing information on NGO work in Lebanon.

Thanks to all the Lebanese fishermen providing information.

Finally, we thank Mr. Richard Tredennik-Titchen, for his help with research documentation. iv. ABBREVIATIONS FAO FC GEF IUCN MAP MEDASSET METAP MoA MoE MoTr MoT NCSR NCMS NGO RAC/SPA WHO WTO UNDP

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Faecal coliforms Global Environmental Facility World Conservation Union (The International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Mediterranean Action Plan Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles Mediterranean Environmental Technical Assistance Programme Ministry of Agriculture Ministry of Environment Ministry of Transport Ministry of Tourism National Council for Scientific Research National Centre for Marine Sciences Non-Governmental Organisation Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas World Health Organization World Tourism Organization United Nations Development Programme

UNEP

United Nations Environmental Programme

Units Ha Kms

Hectares Kilometres

8

PART I: The Marine Turtle Survey 1. INTRODUCTION In the Mediterranean, only Green turtles Chelonia mydas and loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta are known to nest, although the leatherback turtle Dermochelis coriacea has occasionally been recorded in the sea. Eretmochelys imbricata occurrence has been cited by Gruvel (1931) and Wermuth and Mertens (1961) (cited in Sella 1995). All known main nesting sites of green and loggerhead turtles within the Mediterranenan are situated in Greece, Turkey and Cyprus, with less important sites in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Israel (Groombridge 1990, Kasparek 1993). It is estimated that only 300-400 C. mydas and 2000 C. caretta females, annually nest in the Mediterranean (Groombridge 1990). Globally the loggerhead turtle is categorised as endangered in the 2000 IUCN Red list (Hilton Taylor 2000). The Mediterranean sub-population of the green turtle has recently been re-classified (Hilton-Taylor 2000) as critically endangered. This categorisation makes the Mediterranean sub-population the most endangered green turtle population in the world.

The populations of Mediterranean marine turtles are decreasing, owing to the interaction of human activities (fisheries in the marine environment, and the occupation/deterioration of sandy beaches in the terrestrial environment). There are also significant signs of a general decline in the populations nesting on monitored beaches (UNEP (OCA)/MEP 1999).

Regarding the overall status of marine turtles in the Eastern Mediterranean: on available information, Turkey is the most important country in the Mediterranean as regards the total number of nesting females per season, as well as the fact that both C. mydas and C. caretta nest there (Groombridge 1990). C. mydas nesting mainly occurs along the central and eastern parts of Antalya Bay. There are no C. mydas nesting west of Belek. Nesting sites have been identified between Mersin and the Syrian border with the most important ones largely restricted to Kazanli, AkyatanYumurtalik and Samandağ (Geldiay & al 1982; Baran & Kasparek 1989, Groombridge 1990; Yerli & Demirayak, 1996). Groombridge (1990) is of the opinion that according to previous surveys that an estimated 1000 females nest along these beaches.

Before the 1900’s marine turtles were recognized as an economic resource in the Eastern Mediterranean. Gruvel (1931, in Sella 1995) reports marine turtles off the shores of Syria and Turkey, and trade of turtles to England and Egypt. Hornell (1934, in Sella 1995) gives a picture of 2,000 sea turtles a year exported from Palestine to Egypt. Sella (1995) also reports that it is possible to estimate that between 1918 and the late 1930’s, at least 30,000 sea turtles were systematically caught in fishing by the Northern Israeli’s, off-shore Abu-Hanafi.

Due to the Syrian coasts’ close location to the main nesting beaches for C. caretta and C. mydas, large nesting populations were estimated (Groombridge, 1990). The entire Syrian coast was first surveyed for potential marine turtle nesting in 1991 (Kasparek 1995). Significant nesting was reported at the south of Latakia, and most of the sea turtle tracks were thought to be those of the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).

9

However, for definite species identification and population numbers, a follow-up research project was recommended (Kasparek 1995).

Nesting populations in southern Cyprus have been monitored for many years (Demetropoulos & Hadjichristophorou 1989), and 75 C. caretta and 25 C. mydas females are thought to nest annually (Groombridge & Whitmore 1989). The annual nesting population on the shores of northern Cyprus has been estimated to be 25-50 C. mydas and 50-75 C. caretta. However, a recent survey reports a total of 377 marine turtle nests during the 2000 nesting season, of which 194 were green turtles and 183 loggerhead turtles (Glen et al. 2000).

2. THE STATUS OF MARINE TURTLES IN LEBANON There have been various surveys of reptiles in Lebanon (Hraoui-Bloquet 1981) but little, if any, attention has been paid to marine turtles. Lortet (1883, in Sella 1995) mentions sea turtles along the Syrian, Lebanese and Israeli (Haifa) coast.

Information received from Mona Khalil by MEDASSET in 1999, revealed that critically endangered Mediterranean green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nest on ElMansouri beach in Lebanon. The UNEP/MAP office in Athens, the RAC/SPA(UNEP/MAP) in Tunisia and the Lebanese MoE were informed, and in 2001 Dr. Hraoui-Bloquet and Dr. Sadek joined Mona Khalil in monitoring ElMansouri beach. Observations in the Palm Island Reserve in north Lebanon, had started earlier in 1997, by the Reserve Area Management Team.

This marine turtle survey took place along the whole Lebanese coast. It was carried out between the 23rd of July to the 6th of August 2001. The aim of the survey was the identification of marine turtle nesting beaches and the provision of recommendations for necessary protection measures. In addition, it was anticipated that the data thus derived would provide a basis for the selection of beaches to be more thoroughly surveyed during the next nesting season (2002). Other aspects related to marine turtle conservation were also examined such as the impact of human activities (e.g. sand extraction for building purposes), erosion etc.

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Lebanon coast was surveyed from the Syrian border to the Palestine border. For the purpose of this study, the coast was divided into two sections: in the North - the coast from Jounie to Tripoli- and in the South – the coast from Sour to Saida. They were first investigated from the sea to identify the location of the sandy beaches, then the survey was carried out by foot patrols wherever access was available, looking for any evidence of the presence of sea turtles, such as nesting, old tracks, hatchling tracks, hatchling emergence and predation.

Topographical maps (1/20.000) prepared by the French National Geographic Institute in 1960’s were used during the field surveys, and beach coordinates were identified

by GPS.

10

The beach investigations started every morning at around 05:30hrs, and the afternoons were spent interviewing the local people, officials and fishermen. Due to time constraints developed beaches were visited on only one occasion while some of the beaches that had potential for nesting, were investigated more than once.

The Team Leader spent slightly longer in El-Mansouri, in order to observe hatchlings and develop strategic solutions for heavy predation.

3.1. Survey Time and Duration Considering the relatively short coastline (approximately 200 kms), 15 days was a reasonable time to make the first assessment. However, as is known from the previous surveys in the same region, such as the Turkish Eastern Mediterranean coast and Cyprus, the best time for the survey would have been between the 15th June and the 15th of July which is actually the peak green turtle nesting period.

Since it was not possible to carry out the survey during the peak nesting season, it was difficult to determine whether the nests in North Lebanon were those of green or loggerhead turtles.

4. THE STUDY AREA 4.1. Geography Lebanon is located on the Eastern Mediterranean (between N 33o 03’ 38’’ and E 34o 41’ 35’’), covering an area of 10,452 km2 with an average width of 48 km and an average length of 220 km. The Lebanese territory is dominated by two mountain ranges running parallel to the sea and to each other (NNE-SSW). The western range (Mount Lebanon) overlooks the narrow coastal plain, which is bordered by the western chain of foothills.

4.2. Climate The Lebanese climate is typical Mediterranean with maximum rainfall during the winter and an aestival period of drought. According to climatologic data the average annual temperature of air is 20.1 °C; average annual precipitation is 741 mm; average annual number of rainy days is 74 and average relative atmospheric humidity is 68 percent. The hottest months are from June through September, with a mean average temperature between 24.1 and 26.7 °C in the shade.

4.3. Physical Features of Lebanese Coast The total length of the Lebanon coast is 225 km, and 80% of the shore consists of cliffs and headlands. The remaining 20% consists of sandy stretches and some low areas. The following chapter describes the geology and geomorphology of the Lebanese coast.

11

4.3.1. Headlands and Cliffs The coastline with headlines consists mostly of Cenomanian dolomite limestone or Miocene deposits. The sea cliffs are associated with wave-washed terraces that show typical erosion patterns with potholes, blowholes and narrow channels. They form typical terraces of calcareous algae, vermicide worms and molluscs, and the morphology, fauna and flora are typical of the eastern Mediterranean. Alluvial sea cliffs show signs of erosion under the active influence of waves and wind ending with sand and/or gravel beaches or depositions1.

Terraces are the highly dynamic result of wave action, and several organisms are well adapted to survive in such habitat. The terraces are typically Levantine with various molluscs and coralline algae. Brown algae are particularly rich and these zones need to be protected. These wave-resistant structures are made of coralline algae formations and a rich biodiversity resides in this ecosystem. The coralline reefs are typical for the central and southern Levantine coast. Crete and its adjacent islands is the only other Mediterranean region where this particular ecosystem is well developed2.

Coralline reefs in Lebanon host a rich biodiversity consisting of: • Several encrusting species such as sponge Hymeniacidon sanguinea, barnacles (Balanus species) and various species of Bryozoa • Various species such as some crustaceans, molluscs, and bristle worms (Polychaeta) • Species of varying size which move from one algae tuft to another including various browsers such as sand hoppers (Amphipodia) and nudibranch slugs • Large sessile species and algae with which they complete for space includes cnidarians, (sea anemones, sessile jellyfish) and some molluscs • Some organisms (e.g. foraminifera and some bristle worms) which settle on the surface of others, on algae or molluscs • Large mobile species such as sea urchins, crabs, cuttlefish and some other benthic species3 These sites seem to hold enormous importance for sea turtles. Coralline reefs were identified off-shore at most of the important nesting beaches, and most of the by-catch was reported around these reefs.

Disappointingly, in Tabarja and El-Mina these terraces are lost due to haphazard unregulated development, and many others may also disappear for the same reasons.

The entire reef system functions as a natural wave barrier protecting the coast from erosion. Beach loss is severe in Lebanon due to urban sprawl, sand extraction from beaches, riverbeds and offshore, haphazard coastal development and lack of environmental awareness.

1

REA Report on the Coastal Zone of Lebanon, 1997, ECODIT-IAURIF. Ibid.

3 Ibid.

2

12

4.3.2. Sand and Gravel Beaches The sand and gravel originates from the sea cliffs, detritus carried in rivers and calcium carbonate from shells as a natural result of the dynamic coastal processes.

Detritus from the river Nile used to be another major source before the construction of Aswan Dam4.

Older maps indicate that sandy beaches cover about 40 to 60 percent of the Lebanese coast. However, during this survey, the length of sandy beaches measured only 20%.

This is in line with results from other recent surveys.5 If the estimate of 40 to 60 percent sandy beaches was not exaggerated, then up to 60 percent of the Lebanese sandy beaches have disappeared. Especially in South Lebanon, many of the beaches registered on the topographical map, did not exist anymore.

As a result of sand extraction along the Lebanese coast over the last 20 years some beaches have been irretrievably lost. Others have significantly narrowed, and are at risk of being lost altogether. The most prominent sandy beaches in the past were found to the South of Beirut, and sea turtle nesting was reported there in the past but now they are occupied by an airport and highway construction.

The estimated total loss of sand from eight beach locations where evidence of sea turtle nesting was found 426,022 m3, predominantly in Akkar (43,000 m3), Abde (53,000 m3), Beirut (54,000 m3), Qasimiye (92,000 m3) and Ramelie (42,900 m3)6.

Sand dunes are extremely important as natural barriers, forming littoral zones between the land and the sea. They also provide an important habitat e.g.for rare plant species.

Unfortunately in Lebanon, they are being catastrophically destroyed by extensive, unplanned, and unthinking human use.

4.3.3. Tides and Waves Although tides in the Mediterranean are not significant in magnitude, their effects can be beneficial for the nesting beaches. Results from reported observations indicate that the tidal range varies from 15 to 30 cm. The diversity of tides is dependent on in-shore currents and the type of continental self. At some of the nesting beaches, fronted by terraces and coralline reefs, night tides help sea turtle emergence and in some cases tides were observed at almost 50 cm7.

Despite the existence of a few bays, the Lebanese coast is open to the Mediterranean Sea. The waves run mostly parallel to the shore, except when deflected by topography or the direction of the prevailing wind, and they tend to break on the shore, even on calm days. The dynamic force of the waves striking on the degraded coastline, causes a dredging effect of the coastal sand. Along the Lebanese coast it is very common to see concrete walls erected, or bulldozed rocks and concrete dumped to prevent coastal erosion.

4

Ibid.

Ibid.

6 W. Hamdan & M. Mroue, 1996, Lebanese University, Seminar organized by NCSR. 7 REA Report on the Coastal Zone of Lebanon, 1997, ECODIT-IAURIF. 5

13

Since the natural coastal dynamics have been interfered with, and sand dunes removed to stop the loss of fertile agricultural lands more sea walls and artificial dunes are being built – the majority of which contribute even more to severe erosion.

The possibility of global warming and any relative sea level rises make it mandatory to review the construction of sea walls, jetties and platforms. Several sea walls near the nesting beaches were seen to be the cause of further erosion.

After a period of strong winds and waves, large amounts of garbage and litter are washed ashore along the coastline.

4.3.4. Continental Shelf The continental shelf is wider in the North (about 12 km) narrowing down in a northsouth axis, and widening up again to about six to eight km8. To the northwest of Tripoli, the Palm Island archipelago is a prominent feature and there is also a small rocky outcrop to the west of Saida. Floor topography is irregular, and is traversed by several deep submarine canyons9.

4.4. Coastal Terrestrial Flora and Fauna There is a variety of flora and fauna species, some of them recognised by international conventions as rare and endangered, and their habitats are in need of protection.

Coastal habitats, like river mouths and coastal sand dunes, need a specific conservation programme, not only for individual protection purposes, but also because of their vital importance for a healthy coastal ecosystem. Riverbanks are composed of Phragmites communis, various grasses of Cyperraceae family and some other rare plants such as Goose-foot (Chenopodium ambrosioides), Water Germander (Teucrium scordium), and Blue Fleabane (Conyza canadense)10.

There are some remaining coastal dunes in south Lebanon that need to be protected.

Dune plants include: Yellow horned Poppies (Claucium flavum) Samphire (Crithmum maritimum), Bitter Apple (Citrullus colocynthis), Sea Holly (Eryngium maritimum) and Sea Squill (Urginea maritima)11.

The Ras-el-Ain coastal springs to the South of Sour are also extremely important with unique freshwater vegetation.

Some 40 species of reptiles have been observed in coastal Lebanon and most of them are insectivorous. Some examples are: Shreiber’s lizard (Acathodactylus shreiberi), ptyodactyle (Ptyodactylus hasselquistii), giant green lizard (Lacerda trilineata), chameleon (Chameleo chameleo), Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca), Caspian terrapin (Mauremys caspica), Soft-shelled Nile turtle (Trionyx triunguis)12. Some of these reptiles are endangered.

8 9

British Admiralty Charts, 1954 and 1976.

REA Report on the Coastal Zone of Lebanon, 1997, ECODIT-IAURIF.

10 11 12

ibid ibid Hraoui-Bloquet, 1981.

14

Compared to other East Mediterranean countries, Lebanon is quite poor in terms of breeding bird species. This is mainly due to hunting and habitat destruction along the riverbanks, and coastline, as well as lack of coastal wetlands/marshlands. The remaining riverbanks are the summer residence of some characteristic bird species such as Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), Ceryle rudis and Halcyon smyrnensis.

Due to Lebanon’s geographical location on a migration route, over 300 migratory species of birds have been recorded in coastal Lebanon13. Some examples of the migrating species are: swallows (Ηirundo spp), wheatears (Oenanthe spp.), woodchat shrike (Lanius senator), ortolan bunting (Emberiza hortulana), raptors, quails (Coturnix coturnix), turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur), wryneck (Jynx torquilla), pelicans (Pelecanus onocrotalus), warblers (Sylviidae), redstarts (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) 18. If hunting was regulated and controlled in Lebanon, bird watching could become an important attraction for the birdwatchers and naturalists.

Thirty-six of the fifty species of mammals identified in Lebanon, are to be observed in the coastal zone19. These are hedgehog (Erinaceus), four species of shrew (Soricidae), twelve species of bats (Chiroptera), seven species of carnivores, hyrax (Hyracidae), cape hare (Lepus capensis), and 10 species of rodents (Rodentia). Carnivores, especially (jackal (Canis aureus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), stone martin (Martes foina), marbled cat polecat (Vormela peregusna), badger (Meles meles), striped hyena (Hyena hyena) and wildcat (Felix sylvestris)] should be investigated in terms of sea turtle egg and hatchling predation.

Three species of dolphins are present in Lebanese territorial waters: the common dolphin (Delphinus dephis), the blue and white dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) and the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus). The last monk seals (Monachus monachus), one of the most endangered species in the Mediterranean basin, were observed around Pigeon Gotto and in Amshit in 1970 and are now believed to be extinct in Lebanon.

Some 324 fish species have been identified in Lebanese coastal waters, of which 28 originate from the Red Sea. Only about 50 fish species are harvested for consumption purposes15 (see chapter 6.2. for detailed information on fishing activity and fishing gear in Lebanese territorial waters).

Six species of cephalopods have been identified: cuttlefish, sepia, and octopus are the most common and commercially exploited, gastropods and bivalves are also common and murex is still found, but reported to be threatened by sand dredging16. There are also several species of sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Since sponge fishing has been a long established tradition (particularly in Batron and Sarafand) two species (Spongia officina and Hippospongia equina) with economic value, are reported to be overexploited17.

13 18 15

REA Report on the Coastal Zone of Lebanon, 1997, ECODIT-IAURIF. Ibid.

Ibid.

Ibid.

17 Ibid.

16

15

5. BEACH SURVEY RESULTS 5.1. Marine Turtle Nesting Beaches There are few beaches that remain intact around Beirut. Some people have reported nesting activity in the past, but although the remaining beaches at the West and North of Beirut are morphologically suitable for nesting, heavy human activity by day and night, preclude nesting. Thus, the beaches around Beirut were not assessed.

For the purpose of this report, the Lebanon coast is divided into two sections (see “Materials and Methods”): a) the section from Beirut to the Palestine Border will be referred to as South Lebanon, b) the section from the Syrian Border to Beirut, will be referred to as North Lebanon.

5.1.1. The South Lebanon beaches This survey provided more evidence of green turtle nesting in South Lebanon. With the exception of the beach in front of the Rachidieh Palestinian Refugee Camp area, all the other South Lebanon beaches were investigated. Beaches near the town Sour (Tyre) were particularly promising, with established and predated nests observed.

In Sour detailed interviews with fishermen showed that interaction between fishing and sea turtles is a major issue.

South Lebanon Beaches start from En-Naquara on the Palestinian border, along to the town of Sour and continuing up to Ed Damour. Although a beach was marked near En-Naquara on the topographical maps (1/20.000) prepared by the French National Geographic Institute in 1960’s, this beach seem to have disappeared during the civil war in the 1980’s. There are two possible reasons for this; i) extensive and unregulated illegal sand extraction for construction, ii) the sand was used to fill sand bags for gun emplacements and for other military purposes (personal comments by local residents). Therefore in South Lebanon nesting beaches start towards ElMansouri.

From Tyre (Sour) to the Rashidieh Camp, the beach shows some highly valuable characteristics with pristine sand dunes. Along the Tyre coast, Rashidieh Refugee Camp is the only haphazard development, threatening the uniquely undeveloped beach.

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Beaches are listed from south to north.

El-Mansouri Beach No: S-118 Coordinates: 330 11’ N-350 11’ E Length:

2 kms

Width:

Varying between 23 metres and 60 metres

Description: The first large beach at the southern end of Lebanon. The beach width is approximately 80 metres and extends to 100 metres in the centre (photo 1, 2). The beach contains fine sand, faced by coralline reefs on the low tide line. Following the tidal zone, the beach rises up in a smooth slope to where the vegetation zone starts.

The dune system is interrupted by a wall at the boundary of the private agricultural land.

Beach use: There is a ruined house with a three-storie building behind it, whose lights illuminate the middle section of the beach during the night. At the North end of the beach there are two more houses, one of which is close to the sea and its garden lights are visible from the beach. In this particular zone, some disoriented hatchling tracks were observed moving towards the light. During the day, the beach is used by local people for swimming, especially during the afternoons.

Turtle Situation: The beach survey started on 25th of May 2001, and was undertaken

by Mona Khalil. The first nest was observed that day, but was quickly predated by dogs.

Species C. caretta

25 May 01

Number of nests 1

29 May 01 20 May 01 1 June 01 3 June 01 4 June 01 5 June 01 6 June 01 7-14 June 01

5 1 5 1 1 1 4 24

5

15 June 4 August

1 1

Total

45

Nesting Date

18

3 1 1 1 4 20

Species C. mydas 1

Notes Nesting observed, predated by dogs

1 2

4

Old tracks counted, emergences observed from one nest of C. mydas

1 Species unknown 35

9

S and N letters describes location as South and North Lebanon

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A total of 45 nests were counted on Mansouri beach, 1 unknown, 9 Chelonia mydas and 30 Caretta caretta.

Of the 45 nests observed, 12 nests were completely predated by dogs, hyenas and/or sand crabs. From one nest only 19 hatchlings were saved the rest being predated, while another nest was totally predated, with only one hatchling being saved.

Three marine turtle emergence tracks were observed without return tracks.

Disturbingly, the local fishermen reported that they have been encouraged and paid by some Fijian UNIFIL soldiers to catch turtles for consumption.

Protection: None. However access to the beach is limited due to private agricultural land adjoining the beach. Beach users are informed about nesting activity by the farm owner.

Recommendations: • Within the survey period, this beach was observed to be an important nesting site for C. mydas and C. caretta. Monitoring and predation prevention measures need to be taken.

Sour Reserve Area Beach S-2 Coordinates: 340 15’ N-350 13’ E Length:

4,5 kms

Width:

Varying between 50 metres and 100 metres

Description: At the South of Reserve Area the beach is pristine, measuring up to 70mtrs width in places (photo 3). Sand dunes that are worthy of protection lie behind the beach. However, the sand is extremely fine in texture and heavily compressed near the North end of the beach.

Beach use: At the Northern end of the reserve area, 96 beach huts are used as restaurants for daily users (photo 4). The lights from the restaurants also illuminate a large area of the beach. There is a car park behind the restaurants where the sand has been completely compacted.

Cars drive to the beach up to 150-200mtrs into the reserve area, with their headlights pointing towards the Southern and darkest part of the beach. Entrance to the beach is unrestricted, and it is used recreationally until late at night. This uncontrolled access to the beach seriously threatens the potential for nesting activity. The beach between Ras-el-Ain and El-Mansouri is narrower than the Sour to El-Mansouri beaches.

Mostly it consists of gravel extending well inland. It ends in short rocky stretch near Ras-el-Ain. Protection: Nature Reserve Status. The MoE has plans for a better protection policy in the area.

Recommendations: • All the entrances to the protection zone should be closed or controlled, with access limited to day time only.

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• • •

No car entrance should be allowed beyond the car park area.

Following a survey to identify nesting occurrence, screening of the kiosk lights should be implemented (tourist zone).

Information and warning signs should be placed near the access to the beach to inform visitors of the reserve protection requirements.

North Sour Beach S-3

Coordinates: 340 18’ N-350 14’ E Length:

2,5 kms

Width:

Varying between 40 metres and 60 metres

Description: The beach begins to the North of the town of Sour and continues up to the Ras Ed Dine el Bahr headland to the North. The beach is bordered by some lowlying dunes covered with dune plants (Yellow-horned poppies, Claucium flavum).

The width of the beach is over 50 metres, with fine sand smoothly rising up to the low dunes (photo 5).

Beach use: The beach is partially occupied by illegal housing. The Southern end of the North Sour beach is quite densely populated and spoiled by barracks and illegal buildings. Towards the North the beach is empty and less polluted, but there are car and bike tyre tracks to be seen. The beach is heavily used during the summer months by local people from Sour and the nearby settlements.

Turtle Situation: The North Sour is one of the potential nesting beaches in the Sour area. It is smaller than the reserve to the South, but it has potential for marine turtles.

The beach morphology is more suitable for nesting purposes towards the North.

Protection: This state-owned beach to the North of Sour (Ras-Siddine-el-Bahr) is a Coastal Reserve (declared in 1991).

Recommendations: • Following monitoring and small scale research on wildlife, zoning should be introduced.

• Entrances to the protection zone should be limited to daytime access.

• No car access should be allowed beyond the car park area.

• Following a further survey to assess nesting, the lights from the illegal buildings in the South should be screened.

• Visitor’s information and warning signs about the reserve status should be placed by the accesses to the beach.

Qasmiye (El-Bourgheliye) Beach S-4 Coordinates: 340 20’ N-350 14’ E Length:

18 km (3 kms of the beach was accessible) 19

Width:

Varying between 28 metres and 40 metres

Description: The beach starts from the Ras Minet Chaourane headland in the South continuing towards Ras En Nabaa Mhailib, and up to the Litani River (Nahr Litani) in the North. It is widest in the northern section, with a 100 metres of coralline reefs in the centre section, finally becoming narrower at the southern end. At the mouth of the Litani River, several walls have been built extending into the sea, causing erosion on each side of the river. Only 3 km of the beach is accessible (photo 6).

Beach use: There are houses at the Northern end with possible access to the beach.

Further South there is an army check-point and a summer house located close to beach. There is no access to the beach near the Litani River.

Turtle situation: Dr. Hraoui Bloquet monitored the Southern end of this beach in June and July.

Dates 28/06

# of Nests 5

Species Unknown

30/07

2

Unknown

Notes 3 nests were predated 1 nest destroyed by digging an irrigation channel after nesting occurred

Turtle potential: High. Needs to be surveyed at high season.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The beach should be monitored regularly during the high nesting season to identify nesting species.

• The local residents should be made aware that this is a turtle-nesting beach, through a simple information programme. They may thus be persuaded to take part in a conservation programme.

Yahoudiye Beach S-5 Coordinates: 340 21’ N-350 14’ E Length:

1 km

Width:

Varying between 25 metres and 40 metres

Description: As it is bordered by agricultural land, Yahoudiye beach has limited public access.

There are a variety of characteristics along the beach, with a rocky section to the North. The beach on the topographical maps looks like one long sandy beach, but this is not the case. It consists of a number of small beaches separated by sea walls and rocky outcrops. Evidence of coastal erosion was observed on this beach.

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Beach use: Towards the Northern end of the beach, with pathway access, a beach hut operates as a buffet. Located only 20 metres from the sea, this buffet was reported to be illegal. The beach is heavily used for domestic tourism and was surrounded with litter and rubbish left by the daily visitors.

There is a small market-shop behind the beach where a few barracks are located. The owner offered to conduct a beach clean up and a sea turtle monitoring programme, if the buffet was removed from the beach!

At the southern end of Yahoudiye beach the natural beach system and dunes were being destroyed by bulldozers for the construction of hotels.

Turtle Situation: The owners of the agricultural land behind the beach reported that sea turtle nesting activity had been observed in the past. The shop owner at the Northern end reported seeing four dead sea turtles earlier that year and from the coloured chart, identified them as C. caretta.

Nesting Potential: Medium in the north.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The beach hut buffet should be removed from the Northern end of the beach.

• Beach cleaning should be undertaken regularly.

• The beach should be surveyed at regular intervals during the high nesting season.

• If nesting occurs, the operators of the tourist facilities should be invited to take protection measures.

• An interested local person could participate in the conservation activities. ! The hotel construction site at the southern end of Yahoudiye beach should be investigated, and sand dune levelling and sand extraction should be stopped.

Mahmoudiye Beaches S-6 Coordinates: 340 22’ N-350 15’ E Length: Width:

approximately 1 kms Varying between 15 metres and 30 metres

Description: Starting from El Mahmoudiye, the beach ends by the Ras Minet Abou Zeid rocky cliff. The beach narrows at both the southern and northern ends, widening in the middle to around 30 metres width. At the southern end of the beach, the wet zone reaches 17 metres. The beach was polluted with litter, mostly plastic. A significant number of sand crabs were observed.

Beach use: The access to the beach is not easy. A few local fishermen and workmen from the adjacent farms visit the beach. There is a big wall constructed behind the beach to separate it from the agricultural land.

Turtle situation: Three predated nests were found, with egg shells around the nests, and both crab and dog prints.

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Nesting potential: High.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The beach should be surveyed at regular intervals during the high nesting season to identify the nesting species.

• If nesting occurs, the farm owners can be invited to help with protection measures and further monitoring.

Adloun Beaches S-7 Coordinates: 340 23’ N-350 15’ E Length:

approximately 1 kms

Width:

Varying between 23 metres and 40 metres

Description: Adloun beach starts at the Northern end of Ras Minet Abou Zeid, and is fronted by coralline reefs. The beach has a crescent shape to the north, and widens at the northern end. The middle of the beach is covered with dead sea grass.

Beach use: Agricultural lands back the beach, with artificial dunes built to prevent incursion by the sea. As the agricultural lands are private, public access to the beach is limited. A couple of local fishermen were seen on the beach.

Turtle situation: Local farmers reported sea turtle nesting, and also reported two dead sea turtles on the beach earlier that year. One false nest and one possible nest were observed (photo 7). The farmers thought that the high number of jackals and dogs might have prevented nesting. The prints around nests could well have been those of jackal or dog. Fewer sand crabs were observed, compared to the other beaches.

Nesting potential: High. The beach has a suitable structure for nesting. Sand quality is fine, but beach use is heavy.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The beach should be surveyed at regular intervals during the peak nesting season to identify the nesting species.

• If nesting is confirmed the farm owners can be invited to help with protection measures and further monitoring.

El-Aaddoussiye Beach S-8 Coordinates: 340 29’ N-350 19’ E Length:

500 metres 22

Width:

Varying between 10 metres and 20 metres

Description: The beach starts North of Dahr-El-Borj and ends at Raffinerie in the North. It is a very narrow gravely beach, measuring approximately 10 metres wide.

Local people report that it was larger in the past.

Beach use: There is evidence of heavy sand extraction. The Dahr el Baj Hotel is located at the southern end of the beach.

Turtle situation: No evidence observed.

Nesting Potential: None.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: None.

Saida Beaches S-9 Coordinates: 330 34’ N-350 22 E (South Saida) 330 35’ N-350 23’ E (North Saida) Length:

3 km

Width:

Varying between 20 metres and 40 metres

Description: The Saida beaches (photo 8) are gently sloping beaches of fine sand.

They are narrow due to the highway construction, starting at 20 metres wide, and rising up to 40 metres wide in the North. The beaches start from Saida town, and continue up to Ras-Es Sakhré-in the north. The beach appears to be much narrower than shown on the French NGI 1960’s maps.

Beach use: The Saida stadium divides the Saida beaches into two sections. The coastal highway runs along the beach. All lights from the road shine onto the beach.

Erosion is present, probably due to the road construction. Sand accumulation has stopped completely. The beach is easily accessible. To the south of Saida town, a solid waste dumping area is located on the coast.

Turtle situation: Nesting reported by local fishermen.

Turtle potential: Medium Protection: None.

Recommendations: • Solid waste dumping should be stopped and the area should be urgently rehabilitated.

• Following a survey to quantify nesting, light screening should be implemented along the highway.

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•

Turtle nesting information and warning signs can be placed by the accesses to the beach.

Er Rmaile S-10

Coordinates: 330 37 N-350 24’ E Length:

1 km.

Width:

Varying between 40 metres and 60 metres

Description: The beach consists of fine sand.

Beach use: Er Rmaile beach has been privatised. It starts at the tourist facilities called Dream Club in the North, and ends at the La Côte Dorée Club. A motorway lies behind the beach. The whole beach is covered by sun umbrellas, sunbeds and other daily use facilities. Public access is not allowed and private property signs are in place by all the paid entrances. The wire fences between each facility reaches down into sea. There is very heavy beach use.

Turtle situation: No evidence found. Local residents reported turtle nesting in the past, but not recently.

Nesting potential: Medium by beach morphology indications, but low due to heavy beach use.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The beach should be surveyed at regular intervals during peak nesting season.

• If nesting attempts are indicated, the operators of the tourist facilities should be invited to help with protection measures.

Jiye Beach S-11 Coordinates: 330 39’ N-350 25’ E Length: Width:

1.6 kms Varying between 25 metres and 35 metres

Description: Large sandy beach, rising with a gentle slope - 40-50 metres in width Beach use: The beach starts from the Refinery in the South. There is a groyne (to prevent longshore drift) built into the sea in the north, which is already causing erosion. There are litter problems both in the sea and on the beach. A side road behind the beach is used by local residents. Two and three floor apartments are located behind the beach. The South end of beach near the Refinery is used daily by tourists.

To the North of the beach, by the sea wall, sand extraction and levelling has recently taken place to establish a private beach.

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The municipality of Jiye has leased the beach to private enterprise. Local people oppose this initiative, and they want the beach to be public.

Turtle situation: Local fishermen and residents from Jiye reported sea turtle nesting last year. This year a local fisherman observed a false crawl near the Refinery.

Nesting potential: Low, due to irreversible damage from sand extraction and levelling, and light pollution from the Refinery.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The sand levelled and loaded at the South end of the leased beach should be reinstated, and rehabilitated as a natural beach.

• The necessity for the sea wall needs to be re-assessed and it should probably be removed to stop erosion.

Damour Beach S-12 Coordinates: 330 42’ N-350 26’ E Length:

500 metres (accessible part)

Width:

Varying between 20 metres and 40 metres

Description: The beach begins at the end of the Mina Es Saadiyat rocks to the South, and continues towards El Kharayeb. It is mostly narrow with large areas of gravel.

The Southern end of the beach is wide with fine sand, but near El Khiam it starts to narrow. From there it continues to be quite narrow along the edge of the agricultural lands (mostly banana plantations), widening again by Tall Er Rsas.

Beach use: The Southern end of the beach is occupied by the tourist facilities of Mina Es Saadiyat Al Khiam. Access to the beach from this point was restricted and required permission from the owner of the facilities. North of the facilities there is a checkpoint and no beach access.

Turtle situation: Turtle nesting was reported by an old local resident. No nesting evidence was observed, except for an old, possibly false nest, near the sun umbrellas and sunbeds.

Nesting potential: Medium. By the Army check point there is little beach use.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The beach should be checked at regular intervals during peak nesting season.

• If nesting occurs the operators of the tourist facilities should be invited to help with protection measures.

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5.1.2 The North Lebanon beaches: Sea turtle nesting occurs in North Lebanon, especially near the Syrian border, and in the Palm Islands Nature Reserve area near Tripoli. From Tripoli southwards to Beirut there are beaches that look very suitable for sea turtle nesting, and local inhabitants have reported nesting in the past, but now these beaches are heavily used for tourism activities, and almost all the beaches are covered by sun umbrellas, sun beds, and beach restaurant tables and chairs.

Having regard to the overall situation in the country, it would be ambitious to concentrate on these beaches. However in the north, the beaches near the Syrian boarder and Palm Island Reserve should receive national and international support for further protection projects.

From Beirut to Jbail, the available coastline is developed, with many summerhouses.

During the civil war, areas such as Jonnie became more permanently populated. Now the coastline between Beirut and Jbail has become popular for those who prefer to live in the countryside while working in Beirut. Thus the coastline is under pressure of urbanisation.

El-Aaqaibe Beach N-13 Coordinates: 340 04’ N – 350 38’ E Length:

800 metres

Width:

approximately 40 metres

Description: The wet zone reaches a gravely beach with a few sandy areas. There is fine sand at the southern end.

Beach use: The beach is situated in a small town the population of which increases during summer. A fishing harbour (El Mina) was built on Southern end of the sandy beach six years ago, despite strong opposition from the local inhabitants. From the fishing harbour to the Northern end, the beach is covered with permanent tourist facilities such as sunbeds, tables, chairs, and umbrellas. There are summerhouses at the back of the beach. Several retaining walls have been built in front of the houses, presumably to protect the foundations of the houses. Each of the walls causes local and wider scale erosion.

Turtle situation: Turtle nesting was reported in the past by local people. No evidence was found during this survey.

Turtle potential: Low. The northern section of the beach could have nesting potential if tourist facilities were removed at night.

Protection: None.

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Recommendations: • The beach should be checked at regular intervals during the peak nesting season for potential nesting activity.

• If positive indications are found, the operators of the tourist facilities should be invited to help with protection measures.

Jbail (Byblos) Beaches N-14 Coordinates: 340 07’ N-350 38’ E Length:

1 km

Width:

Varying between 40 metres and 60 metres

Description: The Jbail (Byblos) beaches are divided in two by the town of Jbail.

Both beaches show the same characteristics - fine sand with gently rising slopes.

Beach use: These beaches are very popular with tourists, and are covered with sun beds, umbrellas, tables and chairs. There are private enterprise facilities for daily use.

The facilities are also open at night time, and their lights illuminate the beaches. On both beaches, the tourist facilities are in the middle of the beach (photo 9).

Turtle Situation: Fishermen reported often seeing Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas in the Sea, and C. caretta nesting was observed.

Nesting Potential: High. The morphology of the beaches is suitable for turtle nesting.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The beach should be checked for potential nesting at regular intervals during the peak nesting season.

• If positive indications are found, the operators of the tourist facilities should be invited to help with protection measures.

• Fishery interaction should be investigated in detail, with a view to developing protective measures.

• An awareness programme for fishermen is urgently needed.

El-Heri N-15 Coordinates: 340 18’ N-350 42’ E Length:

1.2 kms

Width:

50 metres

27

Description: El-Heri beach lies in a bay on a typical rocky coastal stretch of North Lebanon. It is divided by the Cement Factory port. The Southwest end of the beach is narrow through artificial causes, but after 230 metres the beach enlarges, and continues right up to Chekka. From the Southwest to the Factory port, the beach is about 50 metres wide, with fine sand. After the port the beach becomes very narrow and is not accessible.

Beach use: The Southwest end of the beach is full of hotels and their facilities. Most of the beach is covered by a concrete promenade. Walls to prevent longshore drift (Groynes) have been erected towards the sea. The remaining small sandy sections have been eroded. There are tourist facilities with accommodation all the way to the Factory.

Turtle situation: No evidence observed.

Nesting potential: Medium, the beach morphology is suitable for nesting.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The beach can be checked for potential nesting at intervals during the peak nesting season.

• If positive indications are found, the operators of the tourist facilities should be invited to help with protection measures.

El-Minie N-16 Coordinates: 340 29’ N-350 55’ E Length:

500 metres

Width:

Varying between 30 metres and 40 metres

Description: The beach is a small sandy beach, with gravel in some sections.

Beach use:

There are tourist facilities on the beach, and a litter problem.

Turtle situation: No evidence observed.

Nesting potential: Medium, the beach morphology is suitable for nesting.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The beach can be checked for nesting potential at intervals during the peak nesting season.

• If positive indicators are found the operators of the tourist facilities should be invited to help with protection measures.

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Palm Island N-17 Coordinates: 34°30' N- 35°46' E. Length:

The overall area of the reserve is 5 km2.

The Palm Island has an area of 200.000 m2.

The length of the nesting beach is 200 metres.

Description: The Palm Islands Nature Reserve (photos 10, 11,12) comprises a group of three flat, rocky islands of eroded limestone pavement, 5.5 km offshore and northwest of Tripoli, with the surrounding seas. Palm Island is the largest of the three islands, with no obvious relief. Its highest point is only about 6m above sea level.

There is an earthen mid-section with a rocky shoreline extending from the Northwest to the South, and a sandy beach extending from the North to the East. The sandy beach has a peculiar biological origin. It mostly consists of the skeletons of marine benthic foraminifers, with an admixture of tiny gastropod shells and parts of skeletons and spines of echinoderms, resulting in a very light “sand”. Dimensions of the beach change throughout the year, being influenced by bad weather and the direction of water currents (Ghassan Ramadan-Jaradi pers. comm.).

Beach use: There is some litter problem.

Turtle Situation: The Reserve Area Management Team confirmed that the green and Leatherback Turtles have often been observed in the sea, and that loggerhead nesting has occurred. The Team recorded 3 nests in 1997, 8 in 1998, 36 in 1999 and 36 in 2000.

Nesting Potential: High, but with the limitation of the physical conditions, such as beach length and off shore conditions.

Protection: The Palm Islands were declared a Nature Reserve in 1991.

Recommendations: • The nesting season should be observed for a longer period of time.

• An awareness and education programme should be implemented in Tripoli.

• Visitors may be allowed restricted access for educational purposes.

El-Aabdé N-18 Coordinates: 34°31' N- 35°59' E. (at south) 34°30' N- 35°46' E. Length:

approximately 2 kms of El- Aabde coast is suitable for nesting

Width:

Varying between 40 metres and 50 metres

29

Description: Solid waste that has been dumped inland is being carried to the sea by the rivers and streams in the area. Although dumping has been stopped by the government, clean-up and rehabilitation action is required, and individual dumps need to be controlled.

Beaches start from the El Aabdé new fishing port, and continue North to the Lebbane River (Nahr Lebbane) near Cheikh Zennad. The beaches to the south especially near the Camp de Nahr Bared refuge settlement area are very narrow and chaotic. From El Aabde northwards, the beaches are narrowed by sea walls, the fishing port and the road, which in places has itself been affected by erosion. The local inhabitants from the area reported that the beaches were larger in the past. The beaches beyond the Aarqa River mouth are relatively bigger.

Beach use: From the Aarqa River to Cheikh Zennad, local fishermen with their boats on the beach are commonly observed. South of Cheikh Zennad access is limited by a military checkpoint. The beaches are traditionally used by the local people.

The entire coastline is heavily polluted. The litter problem is more intense here because the solid waste from Tripoli is being dumped along the coast. Especially near the Aarqa River there are beaches consisting of thick layers of plastic waste. From El Aabdé to the Aarqa River, beaches are eroded and have almost disappeared.

Turtle Situation: Some turtle nesting was reported by local people and fishermen.

They also reported observing dead turtles on the beach (both Chelonia mydas and Caretta caretta). Fishermen report seeing both species at sea, and as incidental bycatch by nets. They also report that sea turtle exploitation continues in Tripoli.

Nesting Potential: Low. Between El-Aabde and the Aarqa River, beaches are mostly very narrow, gravelly and not very suitable for nesting.

Medium. Between the Aarqa River and Cheikh Zennad,although no nesting was reported on the beaches, morphologically they are more suitable for nesting. El Qlaiaat Beach (34°33' N- 35°59' E) seems to have the most potential for nesting.

Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The beach should be checked for nesting potential at regular intervals during the peak nesting season.

• Solid waste dumping into riverbeds and at the coast should be stopped immediately.

• Awareness programmes are required in the fishing villages between the Aarqa River and Cheikh Zennad.

Cheikh Zennad N-19 Coordinates: 34°37' N- 35°59' E Length:

approximately 3 kms 30

Width:

Varying between 40 metres and 60 metres

Description: This beach lies between the Cheikh Zennad village, and the El-Kebir River (Nahr El-Kabir), which defines the Syrian border with Lebanon (photo 16). The beaches are relatively large, compared to the El-Aabde beaches, and are partly fronted by coralline reefs. The beach width reaches 50-60 metres in places.

Beach use: The beach is mainly used by fishermen from nearby settlements, particularly at the river mouth, and public access is limited due to security restrictions at the border.

Turtle Situation: The El-Kebir River might be a habitat for the brackish water softshelled turtle Trionyx triunguis. Fishermen reported nesting on the beach and incidental catch.

Nesting potential: High Protection: None.

Recommendations: • The beach should be checked for potential nesting at regular intervals during the peak nesting season. • Awareness programmes for fishermen should be implemented.

5.2. Interaction Between Fisheries and Marine Turtles The fishermen suffered during the civil war, as they were not allowed out to sea for security reasons, however off-shore sand dredging continued. Whilst this situation may have helped to maintain the fish stocks, the fishermen were badly upset.

In the unrestrained war situation, the illegal use of explosives and toxic bait (lindane) was extensive. Today, the oversight controls of the Lebanese Army discourage the use of explosives, however fishermen spoke of the extensive use of toxic bait in the Rachidiye Palestine Refugee Camp area.

The interaction between sea turtles and fishing activities can be devastating in scale (photo 15). The MoA has disseminated a circular to fishery co-operatives, which strictly prohibits sea turtle exploitation for food consumption and commerce.

However, there are no precise regulations with regard to fisheries in Lebanon.

Although the MoA circular is a good start, it is unlikely solve the problem by itself.

As a continuation of the government’s initiative to stop the sea turtle exploitation, an awareness programme should be implemented, primarily for fishermen.

Interviews with fishermen During the field trip fishermen were interviewed in three major fishing harbours (Tripoli, Saida and Sour), and also in small villages (like the ones near Cheik Zennad) there were discussions with local fishermen (photo 18).

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During the interviews, coloured photograph charts were used so that the fishermen could identify the different marine turtle species. Although it is normally difficult to establish a trusting relationship with fishermen, in Lebanon good relations were quickly established and detailed information was gained based on mutual trust. Their main cause for concern was the fact that fishing gear is expensive, and there are no government incentives available. So they are very vulnerable and become irritated when the nets are damaged by sea turtles.

All the fishermen interviewed recognised the green turtle from the coloured chart.

They also recognized the Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and reported having seen it at sea. Especially in south Lebanon they also insisted on identifying the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) from the charts. However, this identification should be treated with scientific caution. With some reservations, one could assume it was more likely that they were identifying immature loggerhead turtles.

In Lebanon trawling is prohibited by law. The most common fishing gears and techniques are trammels, long-lines, round haul nets and beach seines nets. On some occasions lights are used at night.

Tripoli The relationship between sea turtles and fishermen is not ideal. Fishermen blame sea turtles for destroying their nets. Some fishermen kill sea turtles for this and a number of different reasons such as for food, or even a superstitious belief that sea turtle blood has healing properties.

In the coastal villages from the northern border to Tripoli, there are various concentrations of fishing boats: Al-Mina (200), El-Aabde (111), Cheikh Zennad (13), Beddawi (6), Minye (10). There are 25 illegal trawling boats in Tripoli. Most of the fishermen use traditional manually pulled nets. Some 30 boats are not registered by the co-operative, and fish illegally.

Saida The head of the fishermen’s cooperative has disseminated the circular from the MoA. In interviews with individual fishermen, they reported that since the circular was published, they have implemented it, and now no longer use the turtles entangled in their nets for consumption. They also displayed of the usual displeasure toward sea turtles in general, saying that sea turtles destroy their nets and share their livelihood.

In Turkey, fishermen often blame sea turtles, monk seals, and even dolphins for tearing their nets, but only dolphins are blamed for eating fish stocks. The sea turtles found entangled in their nets were mostly 500 metres from the shore.

Sour (photo 13) In the small fish restaurants many green turtle shells of all sizes, ranging from juvenile to adults, could be seen displayed on the walls (photo 14). The restaurant owners confirmed that these turtles had died as a result of accidental by-catch.

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In Sour, detailed interviews with fishermen also showed that interaction between fishery and sea turtles is a major issue. Fishermen reported that during the nesting season, and in the winter, around 50-70 sea turtles are sometimes found trapped in the nets of just one fishing boat. These figures would, of course, have to be scientifically verified. Some fishermen and some local people reported that sea turtle exploitation is an ongoing issue. Unexpectedly, a dozen fishermen hunting sea turtles were interviewed and they reported that the demand for turtle meat also comes from some UNIFIL (United Nations International Force in Lebanon) soldiers, especially the ones coming from Southeast Asian countries like Fiji.

The main problem with regard to sea turtle exploitation lies with the strong superstition amongst the local population that there are remedial and aphrodisiac benefits to be gained from eating sea turtles and drinking their blood. This can be only dealt with through awareness and education programmes both from the point of view of Islamic prohibitions and medical fact, as exemplified by the successful ongoing programme being carried out by MEDASSET in collaboration with a local NGO in Alexandria, Egypt. Strict monitoring and fines could also be beneficial, if rigorously implemented and applied.

5.3. Protected Areas and Marine Turtles The Ministry of Environment has initiated the “Strengthening of National Capacity and Grassroots In-Situ Conservation for Sustainable Biodiversity Protection (LEB/95/G31/A/1G/99) Project” which is known as the “Protected Areas Project”. It began on 15 November 1996, and is scheduled to end on 15 November 2001. The Protected Areas Project is financed by the GEF through UNDP, with the technical and administrative guidance of the IUCN, under the direction of the MoE. The project’s overall objective is to conserve endemic and endangered wildlife and their habitats; incorporate wildlife conservation as an integral part of sustainable human development; to strengthen the institutional capacity of government agencies and nongovernmental organizations, and to promote national reconciliation.

Two main Nature Reserve areas are considered in this report in relation to marine turtles.

5.3.1. Tyre Nature Reserve The coast south of Sour (Tyre) has the last pristine stretch of coastal habitat in Lebanon. From evidence collected in this survey, there is significant potential for nesting of both Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas marine turtles in this coastal stretch. With the exception of the Rachidieh Refugee Camp, this highly important coastline is mostly free from urbanisation. The traditional local villages of the area are located in the Jabal Amel foothills. Jaftalak Ras el Ain has the only coastal wetland along with the most important fresh water sources (springs) in the area. The beach mostly consists of wide stretches of sand, faced by coralline reefs on the low tide water line. Behind the low-lying dune ridges, are agricultural fields on state owned land. This is a unique large natural coastal area enjoying legal protection for important bio-diversity in Lebanon.

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Marine turtle nesting has been reported in the past, but has not been monitored regularly. The area has significant potential for nesting activity, compared to the adjacent nesting beaches of El-Mansouri. The Palestinian refugee camp of Er Rachidieh forms the border to the South of the Protected area, and is the only scattered and haphazard urban development near the Reserve Area.

Jaftalak Ras el Ain was designated as a Coastal Reserve in 1991 by the MoA. This important coastal habitat extends over 2 km2 in the coastal plain to the South of Sour (Tyre). In 1998 (under Law 708), the area from Sour to Rachidieh Camp was also designated as a Nature Reserve Area by the MoE. This was due to its rich biodiversity that included marine turtles, and to prevent the development of urban sprawl.

There are two zones described in the Reserve Area: i) a zone for tourist use ii) a protection zone. The whole Reserve area covers an area of around 3,900,000 m2.

The state owned beach to the north of Sour (Ras Siddine el Bahr) was declared a coastal reserve in 1991. It is smaller than the Sour Reserve, but has potential for marine turtle nesting. The Southern end of the beach is partially occupied by illegal housing. Towards the northern end the beach increases in size, with smoothly rising, low-lying dunes covered with natural dune plants (Yellow-horned Poppies).

The area is targeted for tourism development. South of Rachidieh to the border there is scattered low-density urbanisation on the agricultural lands, and Sour town would like to develop towards the south as well. Ideally, the protected area should be extended to the south, the plans to develop tourist resorts being the biggest threat for the adjacent areas with beaches running down to the south Lebanon border.

By Government Decree the Management of the Nature Reserve was contracted to the Management Committee in 1998. The Committee has five institutional members (Ministry of Agriculture, the Municipality, the Governor and an NGO, and was appointed by the MoE for five years. The whole area is patrolled by two guards. As of yet, no Management Plan has been prepared along the lines of the Palm Island Nature Reserve Management Plan.

There are two zones identified in the area a) Zone for Tourist use b) Protection Zone.

In the Zone designated for tourist use, there are a number of kiosks/restaurants, which operate from June to September. While there were 108 kiosks/restaurants in 2000, the number decreased to 96 in 2001. The Municipality of Sour town is the leasing authority for the kiosks and by agreement with the Committee a percentage of the leasing charges is passed to the Reserve.

Since 2001, the Area Management Committee has received payment of 35% from the lease charges. The Management Committee also receives funding from the MoE. In 2002, the farmers using the farm land and fresh water from Ras el Ain springs will be paying a leasing fee according to the amount of land farmed. This will provide further income to the Reserve Area. The budget allocated for research and other activities in the Reserve Area is monitored by the MoE. The Management Committee is concerned about the lack of cooperation between the relevant Ministries. The Management Committee also lacks the authority for the implementation of the relevant rules and legislation.

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Recommendations: • The sand extraction should be strictly banned on the beaches, dunes and sea bottom.

• A Nature Reserve Management Plan to protect and enhance Sour town and its environs is vital, and should be developed as a matter of urgency.

• Public access to the beaches could be allowed under strict control to non-sensitive zones. A Nature Reserve Management Plan will provide better zone divisions in the areas where marine turtle nesting beaches can be identified. In this regard, detailed protection measures should be developed.

• The protection of agricultural land should be reinforced, and the agricultural infrastructure needs to be rehabilitated on an environmentally friendly basis.

• The new coastal highway has not yet reached this area, thus there is still opportunity to lobby for the highway to be routed further inland. This would significantly help to preserve this unique coast and agricultural lands.

• Legal protection status for the area from Ras el-Biyada down to Ras en-Naqoura should be accompanied by a Management Plan, which will help to promote green tourism and environmentally sustainable development in the area.

5.3.2. Palm Island Reserve Area (Nakhl Islands) The Palm Islands were declared a Nature Reserve according to Law 121 (9-3-1992), and the reserve was designated as a Mediterranean Specially Protected Area under the Barcelona Convention in 1995.

The Palm Island Nature Reserve consists of three islands: Palm Island (Rabbit Island) is the largest of the three islands, covering an area of 200,000 m2 and, its highest point is only about 6m above sea level. It consists of an earthen centre with a rocky shoreline extending from the northwest to south, and a sandy beach where sea turtles are nesting from the north to the east. The island contains evidence of past periods of human occupation with a fresh water well, old Salinas and the remains of a church dating back to circa 12th Century.

Sanani Island covers an area of 40,000 m2 to the southeast of Palm Island. It is mainly rocky with a partially sandy shore that resembles that of Palm Island. This island was cleaned of debris and temporarily opened to visitors in August and September 1998 and in July, August and September 1999.

Ramkine Island, the smallest island, with an area of 16,000 m2 is located northwest of Palm Island. Ramkine Island is mostly rocky and rises to about 12 metres above sea level. The island contains the remains of a lighthouse in addition to cannon emplacements and underground galleries that were built early in the nineteenth century. The island was temporarily opened to visitors in July, August and September 1999.

Palm Islands Nature Reserve Management Plan was prepared and adopted on 17/9/2000 for the period 2000-2005. The aim of the management plan is to provide a guide to all relevant parties for the management of the Palm Islands Nature Reserve.

The Management Plan is being implemented with the cooperation of three distinct bodies.

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a) The Government Appointed Committee was established after the islands were declared a reserve, and is responsible for developing proposals for long/short-term action plans for the reserve, along with the supervision of the scientific studies that will be conducted during the project period by the National Council for Scientific Research (NCSR). b) The management of the Palm Islands Nature Reserve was contracted to the Tripoli based Environment Protection Committee (EPC), which is a non-governmental organization, working under the supervision of the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of the Environment. The Committee aims at “managing the reserve in a way to protect its wildlife, allow visitors to enjoy some of its attractions and acquire knowledge about it, without causing damage to the resources of the reserve”. It also aims at allowing the local people to benefit from the current visitation activities and future environmental tourism 19. c) The Management Team appointed by EPC in 1997, is to be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Reserve Area, working in partnership with national and local governmental agencies and the community, actively seeking assistance from all parties. The Team consists of a manager, an assistant manager, and 3 rangers.

Various conservation measures have been initiated, including management planning; clean-up campaigns; reduction in the number of rabbits and rats; protection of the few remaining young native palm trees; zoning of the island; the construction of a visitors trail; the building of a dock to facilitate the landing of visitors, and the general surveillance of the islands and surrounding sea. The Management Team aims to complement ecological management by education, community relations, fund raising and an environmental extension programme22.

The Management Team is concerned about pressure being exerted to open Palm Island to visitors or events (such as concerts or parties), during the marine turtle nesting season. They are also concerned about their lack of authority to enforce the laws and regulations in existence in the Reserve. Funding security is also a concern to the Team, for the future implementation of the Management Plan.

Recommendations: • Strict control needs to be implemented with regard to unauthorized fishing and recreational activities within the Reserve area boundaries. Such activities need to be stopped so as not to affect the fragile coastal ecosystem and its wildlife.

• The local community and municipality should be made aware of the fact that between June and the end of August; any entertainment activity will severely affect the nesting marine turtle population.

• The bodies managing the Reserve should give high priority to public awareness and education programmes.

• The sandy beaches of the islands need to be well protected during the nesting season. The recreational activities zone and nesting zone should be well separated.

19

Palm Islands Nature Reserve Management Plan 2000-2005, MoE, GEF, UNDP, IUCN, Lebanon.

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•

•

•

The ongoing solid waste dumping methods and dumping areas of Tripoli and AlMina need to be re-assessed relocated and rehabilitated. Any new solid waste dumping areas identified through an EIA process, should ensure that the waste products should no longer find their way into this environment, as is currently happening on the north coast of Lebanon, with garbage being carried by the sea currents to the islands. The periodic cleaning of the beaches of the Reserve should be maintained. This will also help to reduce the high numbers of yellow-legged gulls.

During the breeding season for birds, turtles and certain other wild species, beach patrols should be increased. The Reserve area Rangers also need to be better trained about marine turtle protection, needs, ecology and their vulnerable status.

It is possible that they may still be seeing the turtles within the context of their traditional and superstitious understanding. There is a strong belief in Tripoli that marine turtle eggs are an effective aphrodisiac.

The rabbit and rat population on the islands should be monitored carefully and in this respect, turtle nest protection might be required. Any project to control the rat and rabbit populations needs to be undertaken with specialist consultation. It is particularly important to understand their relationship with other species on the islands.

5.4. Review of the Survey Results In Lebanon, there are beaches where marine turtle nesting evidence was found and others found to be suitable for nesting. However, only a small number of sea turtle nesting indicators were found during the survey (23 July-6 August 2001). The peak season is recognised as between 15 and 30 June in the Eastern Mediterranean (Baran & Kasparek 1989 for Turkey; Kasparek 1995 for Syria). The survey was thus carried out at the end of the nesting season. On the basis of this late survey, an assessment of Lebanon’s potential for nesting activity becomes difficult. However, the survey team held many interviews with local people in particular with fishermen. These interviews confirmed the survey observations that the Lebanese coast is important for the green turtles.

In the south, the beaches near Sour (Tyre) were particularly promising for nesting with established and predated nests observed (S-4 & S-6). In El-Mansouri (photo 1, S1) green turtle nesting and emergence of the hatchlings was observed. Especially from Sour towards the south the beaches show highly valuable characteristics, with pristine sand dunes. Only the Rashidieh Refugee Camp threatens the uniquely undeveloped beach. There is high potential for sea turtle nesting there.

As the coastal morphology shows, the southern coast of Lebanon has shallower seas, and sea grass agglomerations were found on the southern beaches especially between El-Mansouri and Adloun (S-1 & S-7). This can indicate that there are sea grass beds in the area and therefore green turtle nesting. However, in north Lebanon the coast has sharper slopes and cliffs, there are fewer beaches observed especially between Jounnie and Tripoli. No sea grass agglomerations were found on these beaches, and local people indicated Caretta caretta nesting.

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As mentioned in (chapter 4.3.1.) the coralline reefs along the Lebanon coast are typical for the central and southern Levantine coast. These coralline reefs hold enormous importance for sea turtles. Coralline reefs were identified off-shore at most of the important nesting beaches, and most of the by-catch was reported around these reefs which most likely provide enough food for marine turtles. Therefore Palm Island and similar little rocky islets in the south coast are most likely foraging areas for sea turtles.

In North Lebanon, neither sea turtle nesting activity nor any evidences were observed mainly for the reason mentioned at the beginning of this chapter. However, especially near the Syrian border, Caretta caretta nesting was reported by fishermen. Around the Palm Island Reserve Area green turtles in the sea were reported by the Reserve Area Management Team. Between Tripoli and the Syrian border beach (N-19) shows similar characteristics with the south Syrian coast. The beach slopes gently to the sea, consists of fine sand and is wide. During the survey in 1991 in Syria, Kasparek (1995) indicated that most of the turtle tracks could be attributed to the Loggerhead turtle. Thus, the Cheickh Zennad beach (photo 16, N-19) might be a continuing nesting beach for C. caretta as well.

The Palm Island beach could be an important site with its protected location, but with only 200 metres of beach there are limited reports of C. caretta nesting. However, around the Palm Island Nature Reserve, Green turtles can be seen at sea, and the Reserve Area Management Team and local fishermen have reported both adults and juveniles.

In Lebanon, as in the many of the other nesting beaches in the Mediterranean, marine turtle populations and their habitats are under serious threat due to sand extraction, urban sprawl and badly planned tourism facilities/investments. In the marine environment fisheries cause mortalities, by both persecution by fishermen and accidental capture in fishing nets.

In the South, the habitat loss due to highway construction/urbanisation and sand extraction is a major problem for the nesting beaches. Furthermore, detailed interviews with fishermen also showed that the interaction between fishery and sea turtles is another major issue. In the north, the garbage and litter is a big issue, in particular, some of the beaches in the north (between Tripoli and Cheikh Zennad) are covered with a thick layer of plastic bags and bottles. The northern beaches, except for the ones between Cheikh Zennad and Syrian border, are mostly eroded. The small number of beaches identified between Beirut and Jounie (photo 17) are under heavy pressure from urbanisation, from Jounie to Tripoli there are a limited number of beaches, which are available for nesting, but they are already under heavy pressure for tourism activities.

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PART 2: PROBLEMS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 6. THREATS AND PROBLEMS RELATED TO MARINE TURTLES Lebanon is host to the rich biodiversity of the Eastern Mediterranean. Despite strong pressure from interest groups, the prohibition on hunting, and the declaration of the Palm Islands and Sour (Tyre) Nature Reserves, are all signs of some conservation successes and progress in Lebanon. A comprehensive Environmental Assessment Report on the Coastal Zone of Lebanon and the Palm Island Nature Reserve Management Plan has also been adopted by the government. In the past ten years a strong environmental movement has developed, and today some NGOs are very active. The media has also played a vital role in spreading environmental news, thus generating public awareness.

However, there is still a great deal to be done in order to encourage the country to develop environmentally sustainable development policies and engender the sustainable use of natural resources. Amongst the many environmental issues, the brown issues (water, air and noise pollution, solid waste management) are prioritised, while green issues (sustainable use of natural resources, beach and coastal conservation, and protection of species) are neglected (World Bank/MOE/METAP Work Shop, 1995)20. Although several laws and regulations for nature conservation have been implemented, lack of finance, technical staff and strong sectoral planning are the matters that need to be urgently addressed. In terms of environmental management and biodiversity conservation, integrated environmental management, and integration of biodiversity conservation into the planning process, is essential.

Urban sprawl, haphazard developments, intensive chemical use in agriculture, solid and sewage waste, badly planned tourism investments, illegal hunting and weak enforcement of existing regulations, are all threatening biodiversity and the environment. Lack of awareness is also a problem that needs to be addressed. The illinformed use of chemicals, especially toxic bait and DDT, is also common practice, and its impact on human health, as well as the environment, needs to be urgently addressed.

The problems and issues threatening marine turtles in Lebanon are regrettably common throughout the entire Mediterranean basin. As in some other Mediterranean countries, marine turtles have the lowest priority in terms of environmental protection.

However, thanks to international organisations, environmental movements and national governments some countries have made marine turtle protection, a higher priority on the list of conservation issues. Over the years, it has come to be realised that the problems threatening marine turtles are also unsustainable development and threats to human health and welfare.

Consequently, the problems and threats identified for the protection of the marine turtles should be addressed as a priority amongst the other major environmental problems that the government, NGOs and stakeholders ought to be dealing with, for the benefit of the country as a whole.

20

World Bank/MOE/METAP, 1995, Assessment of the state of the environment, Final report

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6.1. Predation No evidence of beach predation on adult turtles was found during this survey. Due to the limited time available for the survey, the data on predation is insufficient.

However, the main egg predators appear to be jackals, hyena and feral dogs. The number of crabs was also high where evidence of predation was found. At these beaches heavy litter pollution was also observed.

Nest predation was higher immediately following the egg laying, the majority of the nests found predated at El-Mansouri beach were observed before the emergence of hatchlings. In addition, nests were dug open by canids, and then completely emptied by sand crabs. In some of the nests all the eggs had been taken. At El-Mansouri, in one of the predated nest observed just prior to the hatchling emergence, only one hatchling was found alive in the nest.

According to Mona Khalil, who collected data at El-Mansouri beach, the majority of the nests were opened first by dogs and then predated by crabs.

6.2. Fisheries The fisheries statistics are outdated, the latest reports being prepared by UNDP/FAO21 and some data from the Climate Change Report by UNDP/GEF.22 There are 324 fish species in the Lebanese coastal waters, of which 28 originate from the Red Sea. Only about 50 species are harvested for consumption. The total number of fishermen was estimated at around 4000 in 1995, however not all of them rely exclusively on fishing as a source of income. The current estimate for the number of fishermen is realistically thought to be around 2,000.

The estimated quantity of fish caught is 2,500 Mt/year, with an estimated market value of $5 millions. Between 6,000 to 10,000 tons of fish are imported each year.

The average Lebanese consumes only about 4 kg of fish per year. The share of the fishery industry is described as insignificant with respect to total GDP (0.084% in 1992). The annual average income of fisherman was $750 in 1995.

Although there are several questions raised regarding the presence of new species and the rarity of native species, the situation is still not clear. One of the reasons, amongst many others in discussion, is the fact that the temperature and salinity is rising perhaps as a result of climate change, producing similar characteristics to the Red Sea. Fishing techniques Lebanese fisheries are artisanal and traditional. Trawling grounds are very limited along the Lebanese coast, and the continental self is narrow and divided by rock outcrops and submarine canyons. Moreover, trawling is prohibited by law.

21

UNDP, FAO, 1980.

UNDP-GEF, Lebanon’s First National Communication Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

22

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The most common fishing gears and techniques are trammels, long-lines, round haul and beach seines nets.

As an example, the quantities of fish caught by different fishing techniques are as follows 23: Type of Gear Beach seines Trammels Gill-nets Long-line Traps Lampara Illegal methods

Quantity of fish (Mt/year) 275 Mt/year 650 Mt/year 100 Mt/year 665 Mt/year 45 Mt/year 765 Mt/year 500 Mt/year

Compared with other techniques, the catch by illegal methods rose considerably during the 1980’s. During the civil war, the use of explosives was dramatically increased due to the uncontrolled situation. Although the controls are now much stricter, interviews with fishermen and local people frequently reported the fact that the use of explosives is an ongoing problem. There is no control on mesh size and the size of nets, which causes considerable damage especially to young fish populations.

Fishing harbours The MoT is implementing a rehabilitation and building programme for fishing harbours along the coast. There is no overall strategy, economic feasibility study (supply and demand) or environmental impact assessment for any of these harbours, or for the programme as a whole24. The major aim of the programme is to expand the total capacity of the 15 fishing harbours to more than 4,000 fishing boats. With regard to the status of fishing in Lebanon, expansion of the fishing harbours or building new ones, does not seem to be the best way to improve the situation. Moreover, the construction activities are creating a demand for millions of cubic metres of aggregate (quarry runs, gravel, and all sizes of rocks) costing millions US$ of budget25.

Without an environmental impact assessment (EIA), expanding the number of harbours, or contracting new ones, is creating immense damage in terms of coastal erosion.

6.3. Habitat Lost 6.3.1. Erosion One of the serious problems facing the Lebanese coast is the erosion of sandy beaches caused by human activities. Natural erosion is also taking place. Some studies indicate that the coast along the Eastern Mediterranean is subsiding at a rate of 2 mm per year.

23

Source: FAO, 1985, from ECIDIT-IAURIF Report.

ECODIT-IAURIF, 1997.

25 Ibid.

24

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Located at the Eastern Mediterranean, to one side of the semi-closed basin does not prevent Lebanon from suffering from periodic heavy storms with 6.0 m. high waves26.

Fishermen and farmers from the coastal communities have witnessed the recurring loss of beaches and agricultural lands, due to storm flooding and inundation.

In the larger scale construction of the Aswan Dam in Upper Egypt (1964), erosion has increased in the Nile Delta. Several studies illustrate that the erosion and shoreline retreat east of Alexandria is due to cut off sediment supplied by the Nile. However, there is at present, no monitoring along the Lebanese coast to identify the scale of retreat due to the Aswan Dam. However there are certain definitive causes of erosion along the Lebanese coast.

• Sand extraction from the beaches • Sand dune destruction • Offshore sand dredging • Un-planned sediment quarrying from river beds Offshore sand dredging has a long history in Lebanon, especially around Sour and at the Litani river mouth. During the summer of 1996, large scale dredging was carried out south of Beirut, to provide 3.5 million cubic metres of fill material for the NorthMetn project27.

Sand extraction from the beaches, to supply sand for the construction industry, was wide-spread during the civil war. It has been reported that sand extraction at Cheikh Zennad north of Tripoli (identified as a potential nesting beach during this survey) was carried out until the mid 1990s.

Sand extraction and sand dredging disrupts all the natural balances, and affects the sediment budget along the coast. Moreover, the loss of marine turtle nesting habitats due to such erosion, is irreversible. During the survey of the potential nesting beaches identified to the north of Tripoli, it was observed that even the coastal road at ElAabde was eroded by the sea. It would be naïvely optimistic in the extreme to expect a healthy coastline there. Similar examples can be given from Saida where sea turtles used to nest, and where there are now very few available beaches remaining. At this location, a section of railway line has been destroyed due to coastal erosion. To the south of Lebanon, valuable agricultural lands are threatened by erosion, and although high walls are being built to protect the farm lands (photo 19, 20), in some cases the beaches are eroded and the sea reaches up to the walls. Consequently, unplanned beach nourishment, such as the construction of sea walls into the sea, is causing further beach erosion.

The development of the coastal highways and expressway should be quickly assessed in terms of coastal and environmental conservation. The distance between the seafront and highway should create enough space for the coast to sustain itself. The Lebanese coast can be described ‘as open to the sea’.

26

UNDP-GEF, Lebanon's First National Communication Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

27 Ibid

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Since natural erosion and human caused erosion are already in process, even catastrophically at some beaches, the highway constructions are additionally cutting away the natural sand accumulation and attracting new developments. The southern highway construction has already reached Saida and has had a visible negative effect on the beaches nearby.

Both the beach and dunes have a role to protect the shore from erosion. Along the Lebanese coast, only the coralline reefs have played a vital role in protecting the coast from what would otherwise be catastrophic erosion.

6.3.2. Urban Sprawl A detailed assessment of the urban planning policy in Lebanon is obviously beyond the scope of this report. However, a general overview based on the Environmental Assessment on the Coastal Zone of Lebanon by ECODIT-IAURIF in 1997, needs to be summarised. While designing a strategy to protect the relatively small scale nesting beaches that still remain, it is important to look at the overall picture, and realistic strategies need to be designed taking into account the existing attitudes in the country, along with the current legislation. A summary is given in the following chapters with regard to the tourism issue and to the national legislative framework. Moreover, the heavy pressure of urbanisation along the coast is extending towards the untouched coastline, including beaches in urban facilities or sub-urban sprawl.

Seventy percent of the Central Lebanon coastline is covered by detailed master plans, drawn up because of heavy development pressure and the tendency towards centralization. Seventy percent of North Lebanon has General Master Plans (1/20.000 scale), and 30% has Detailed Master Plans (scale of 1/2.000 to 1/5.000). In the Southern part of Lebanon, 80% of the coastline has General Master Plans, while only 20% of the coastline has Detailed Master Plans.

The General Master Plans have identical land use categories and development controls, with the exception of certain industrial zones, the urban and rural coastal zones have the same zoning designations: • seafront properties have a tourist designation without being categorised in a detailed way. • the landward adjoining strip, extending 100m east of the coastal road, or the second extension zone is designated for low-density residential development.

Urban development mostly follows a concentric pattern, starting from the old city and expanding through successive rings of diminishing density over the surrounding agricultural hinterlands, and nearby coastline (including the beaches in Sour). The most common problems of the coastal settlements are the management of their shorefront zones, and the ribbon development along the highways and roads.

In general, coastal highways attract intensive strip urban development. Over the past 10-15 years, the urban sprawl between Beirut and Byblos, and between Beirut and Saida is the main cause of highway development. One of the biggest threats to the nesting beaches, particularly in South Lebanon is highway development, particularly if it takes place without proper integrated planning.

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The nesting beaches near big settlement areas like Saida and Sour, have either disappeared, or nesting has become impossible. This is almost entirely due to highway construction and/or extended urbanisation around the highways. Thus, fine sandy nesting beaches have either been destroyed, or are flooded with traffic headlights from the motorway vehicles. According to the relevant decrees, only a 10-meter setback from the highway to the shoreline is mandatory.

More than 70% of the coastal areas in Lebanon are subject to dense population and their socio-economic activities. Moreover, due to the heavy exploitation of groundwater by the coastal population, marine salt water often intrudes and affects the quality and availability of fresh water.

To the North of Sour town, new several stories high buildings are being developed behind the seafront with the highway running behind. In fact, the North Sour beaches do have nesting potential.

6.3.3. Tourism Lebanon was once a leading tourist destination in the region, but many of the attractions were destroyed during the war. However, large-scale restoration projects have started in some of the big cities, like Beirut.

According to reports, the country is experiencing an unprecedented reconstruction boom, with foreign hospitality firms like Mariott, Holiday Inn, Intercontinental, McDonald’s and many others rushing to be present in the Lebanese market. However, this economic boom has not been sufficient to return tourism’s contribution to GNP and government revenues to pre 1975 (1.9 million visitors) levels.

Tourism in the Middle East is expected to increase from 7 million tourists in 1990, to 21 million in 2010. Lebanon is willing to increase her share within these figures, and tourism is expected to be a major global growth industry in the country in terms of offering high value employment and income, along with generating opportunities for un-skilled and semi-skilled labour.

According to the Climate Change Report28 prepared by the Ministry of Environment, the erosion and inundation of sandy beaches will hit the tourism industry. The following paragraph from the above mentioned report describes the difficulty and highlights the ongoing threat to coastal habitats: …. A concerted effort is now being made to strengthen planning controls on tourism development, to protect valuable resources for the future and promote sustainable development, but these efforts meet strong resistance from developers….

The construction and operation of maritime tourist or recreational facilities, requires a building permit from the Directorate General of Urban Planning, approval from the local municipality, and permits from the MoTr for the leasing and classification criteria enforced by the MoT. The MoT is responsible for promoting the tourism sector.

28

Climate change, Lebanon’s First National Communication Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Final Report, UNDP-GEF, Lebanon.

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Most of the tourism activities are operated by the private sector. The MoT has developed a “Tourism Reconstruction and Development Plan” that mainly deals with ‘product-market’ strategy, along with the definition of ‘recovery policy’ and reinforcement of tourist facilities. The MoT plans defines the coastal zone 300 to 500 metres landward. The strategy states that the beaches that already exist should remain the summer holiday destination for Lebanese residents, visitors and tourists from Arab countries. The rest of the coastal zone available for tourism should then be developed for beach tourism, with ports and boat connections with harbours for the up market tourists from Europe and Arab countries. The Tourism Plan recommends the identification of certain vital issues for better tourism development, such as tourist sites of main and secondary importance, and the identification of sections of the coast that needs to be preserved.

The wise recommendation should be to give some priority to the nesting beaches as well. Experience drawn from other countries tourism development practices (such as the massive tourism development along Belek’s sea turtle nesting beach in Turkey) can be used to minimise the negative effects of tourism along the nesting beaches of Lebanon.

The authorities should seriously consider the benefits and importance of leaving a few untouched sandy nesting beaches.

Meanwhile green environmental issues as well as brown ones should be integrated into the tourism development plans, not only for the protection of the very limited sea turtle nesting beaches, but to create an outstanding Levantine tourist destination and provide for the sustainable use of the Lebanese coastline.

6.4. Shore and Coastal Water Pollution Along the Lebanese coast, solid waste problem is a major issue. Two major sources of pollution witnessed during the survey, were solid waste dumping on the shoreline and domestic/industrial wastewater discharge.

Solid waste dumping is common along the entire Lebanese coast, but it is worst in Tripoli, and around Beirut and Saida. In the North between Tripoli and the Syrian boarder near El-Aabde, the litter and garbage is more than a meter deep on the beach. In a very real sense it is possible to describe the beach as being made of litter. In Saida the solid waste dump is situated by the sea and along the highway.

Litter floating on the sea is so bad that it regularly stalls boat engines, and fills the fishermen’s nets. After the Normandy solid waste dump site was closed to the north of Beirut, the situation has slightly improved, but dumping still continues all along the Lebanese coast, and travels with the sea currents in the Eastern Mediterranean. A certain amount of garbage also sinks, causing desertification of the sea bed. During the fieldwork on the beaches, hospital waste such as syringes, medicine bottles, and sanitary waste such as napkins were often observed, posing a serious health hazard to beach visitors.

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Water pollution from domestic sewage and industrial wastewater discharges appear to be an even bigger problem. During the Environmental Assessment of the Coastal Zone of Lebanon study by ECODIT-IAURIF in 1997, some insight to the scale of the problem was highlighted. At relatively undeveloped areas like Batroun, and stations in the middle of Jouneih Bay, the seawater quality fit for swimming was graded according to the FC 50 and FC 9029 criteria (WHO/UNEP/MAP, 1994)30.

Excessive use of agro-chemicals is another important issue that needs to be monitored in the seawater, especially to the South of Lebanon, where agriculture is extensive.

6.5. Hunting Sea turtle hunting is banned by law in Lebanon.

The Decree 1/279 dated November 19, 1998 by MoA forbids sea turtle hunting for any purposes including food consumption and trade.

The Decree 1/125 dated August 23, 1999 by MoA forbids the hunting of sea turtles, whales, dolphins and monk seals.

However fishermen, especially in Tripoli and Sour admit that sea turtle hunting occurs illegally, and egg poaching also takes place.

7. National and Institutional Legal Framework31 7.1. National Legislative and Institutional Structure The Ministry of Environment is empowered to study, propose and implement national environmental policies (established by Law 216, April 3, 1993). Law 216 was amended and replaced by a Council of Ministers Decree in June 1997, which reorganized the MoE and redefined its prerogatives.

The Parliamentarian Committee for the Environment, established in 1994, is responsible for debating and proposing national environmental legislation. The MoT, which was separated from the Ministry of Public Works, has control authority over the maritime public domain, including permits for conditional use and sand extraction from the coast.

Overall land use planning and management is under the authority of the Directorate General of Urban Planning within the Ministry of Public Works. In addition, the Higher Council of Urban Planning reviews and approves/disapproves certain specific projects (e.g. industrial areas).

The role of the Advisory Council for the Environment is to make recommendations to the Minister of Environment pertaining to national environmental policies.

29

100 faecal coliforms per 100 ml in 50 percent of the samples; and 1,000 faecal coliforms per 100 ml in 90 percent of the samples.

30 WHO/UNEP/MAP, 1994, Guidelines for Health – Related monitoring of coastal recreation and Shellfish areas, Part I - V 31 Information at this section is collected from ECODIT-IAURIF, 1997 report which was adapted from the World Bank/MoE/METAP report: Lebanon, State of the Environment, 1995.

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Lebanon’s research institute for the marine environment, the NCSR and its NCMS is capable of undertaking marine and coastal research if it needs to strengthen its infrastructure. Both NCSR and NCMS could help the Ministry of Environment to monitor the state of the marine environment and implement the Mediterranean Action Plan of UNEP. Lebanon has a large body of sector-specific environmental laws and regulations, some dating back to the 1930s and some new ones that have resulted in overlapping32. The majority of these environmental laws require updating and integrating together within a well-articulated environmental management policy document defining monitoring and enforcement. In addition, weakness in the environmental control and monitoring system is one of the major problems. The line ministries, including the Ministry of Environment have to rely on the Ministry of Interior for enforcing legal requirements.

However, the Lebanese Army shows strict adherence to legal requirements such as enforcing the ban on hunting as well as controlling illegal fishing and construction activities along the coast.

The public has a statutory right of access to the maritime public domain. However, several decrees and special permits have gradually hindered public access to the beaches and other coastal areas in Lebanon. The Decree-Law 4810 (24.06.1966) unequivocally provides right of public access to the maritime public domain, tourism and industrial projects propagated under this Decree with irreversible facilities and equipment on the beaches. According to Article 1-6 of the same Decree-Law, owners of seafront properties may lease the adjoining maritime public domain to double the area of their property and within the limits of their lot frontage.

There are certain regulations, even for the declaration of the reserve areas along the coast (e.g. The Sour Nature Reserve Area), but still coastal use and coastal areas protection needs to be regulated in a broader terms.

At an institutional level, the overlapping institutional responsibilities and authorisations are another area that needs to be regulated. There is an institutional gap in environmental coordination.

7.2. International Agreements Lebanon is a contracting party to UNEP/MAP (1975), which attempts to protect the Mediterranean in an environmentally sustainable way. MAP reflects the priorities and activities of UNEP. Table I summarises the major international agreements that relate to marine turtles and the status of Lebanon.

32

ECODIT-IAURIF, 1997.

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Table I: The Major International Agreements Relating to Marine Turtles and The Status of Lebanon INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT

LEBANON’S STATUS

Mediterranean Action Plan, (UNEP) 1975 Signed and ratified Barcelona Convention and its protocols

Signed and ratified. The fifth protocol is waiting for required numbers of countries ratification

Convention on the Conservation of Not signed Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn, 1979) Convention on Int. Trade in Endangered Not adopted Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, (Washington, 1973) Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio Signed and ratified de Janeiro, 1992) Revised Action Plan for the Conservation Adopted of Mediterranean Marine Turtles (1999) UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, Signed. Waiting for required numbers of 1982. countries ratification The MARPOL 73/78 Convention

Signed and ratified

The World Heritage Convention

Signed

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2. Demetropoulos, A. & Hadjichristophorou, M., 1989, Sea Turtle Conservation in Cyprus, Marine Turtle Newsletter 44, p. 4-6.

3. Demirayak, F., 1999, The Status of the Green Turtle Chelonia mydas in Kazanlõ, Akyatan, Samandag on the Turkish Mediterranean Coast. T-PVS (99) 74, 26pp.

4. Geldiay R., T.Koray & B.Süleyman 1982, Status of sea turtle populations (Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas) in the Northern Mediterranean Sea, Turkey in “Biology and conservation of sea turtles”, Bjorndal K.A. (edit.), Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C., pp 425 – 435.

5. Glen, F., Broderic, A.C., Godley, B.J., and Reece, S., 2000, Marine Turtle Conservation Project, Northern Cyprus 2000-Annual Report. 12pp.

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6. Groombridge B. 1990, Marine turtles in the Mediterranean: distribution, population status, conservation – Council of Europe, Nature and Environment Series 48: 1 – 98, Strasbourg.

7. Groombridge B. & Whitmore C. 1989, Marine turtle survey in northern Cyprus Marine Turtle Newsletter 47: 5-8.

8. Hilton-Taylor, C (Compiler) 2000 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.

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11. Kasparek M. 1993, Marine turtle conservation in the Mediterranean: marine turtles in Egypt. Survey of the Mediterranean coast between Alexandria and El-Salum MEDASSET, RAC/SPA and NIOF, 63 + xviii pp.

12. Republic of Lebanon, Ministry of Environment, 2000, Palm Islands Nature Reserve Management Plan 2000-2005, MoE, GEF, UNDP, IUCN, Lebanon.

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14. Republic of Lebanon, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change-Technical Annex to Lebanon’s First National Communication, Final Report, UNDPGEF, Lebanon.

15. Sella, I., 1995, “Sea Turtles in the Eastern Mediterranean and Northern Red Sea”, Biology and Conservation of Sea Turtles, edited by Karen Bjorndal rev. ed., Smithsonian Institute, Washington D.C, p. 417-423.

16. Tohmé, G. and H. Tohmé, 1981, “Extinct and Disappearing Animals in Lebanon”, Biology International (IUBS), Paris, N. 4.

17. UNDP/FAO, 1980, Etude de Reconstruction et de Développement de l’Agriculture-Liban, Annexe technique 13.

18. UNEP (OCA)/MEP, 1999, Revised Action Plan for the conservation of Mediterranean marine turtles as adapted by the contracting parties (Malta 27 – 30 Oct. 99), Annex IV, Appendix VII in: Report of the 11th Ordinary meeting of the contracting parties to the convention for the protection of the Mediterranean sea against pollution and its protocols, UNEP (OCA)/MEP 16 12/9 Malta, 27 – 30 Oct. 99.

19. Yerli S. & F. Demirayak 1996, Marine turtles in Turkey: a survey on nesting site status, DHKD, Istanbul, Turkey.

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APPENDIX I: MAPS OF SURVEYED BEACHES

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APPENDIX II: PHOTOS

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