Testudo, The Journal of the British Chelonia Group 6(3):13-27
SEA TURTLE MONITORING AND PUBLIC AWARENESS IN SOUTH LEBANON 2005 H. Cross1 and S. Bell2 1
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation (CEEC), School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich (UK) 2 Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles (MEDASSET) 1C Licavitou Street, 10672 Athens (GR)
INTRODUCTION The importance of Lebanon's coasts for sea turtle nesting was discovered in 2001 through a coastal nesting survey conducted through MEDASSET's ongoing conservation programme in the Eastern Mediterranean. Surveys in 2001 (Demirayak et al., 2002) and 2004 (Kasparek, 2004) of the Lebanese coast showed that while nesting is sparsely distributed along parts of the northern coast and scattered on several developed beaches, southern nesting sites are more important both nationally and regionally. Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) are widespread along the coast of Lebanon and medium-density nesting has been observed at specific sites. The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is far less common, with nesting confined to the less developed beaches in the south of the country. Monitoring on the southern Lebanese beaches of El Mansouri, El Aabbassiye and the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve (TCNR), which are situated along a 20km stretch of coast to the north and south of the ancient Phoenician port of Sour (Tyre) (Figure 1), has provided useful data (Table 1). Nesting on monitored beaches in South Lebanon ranges from 37 to 70 Caretta nests and from 0 to 16 Chelonia nests per year (Cross et al., 2006). However, as systematic surveying commenced only four years ago nesting numbers are not necessarily representative. Long-term monitoring is required before population size can be accurately assessed. Strengthening management capacity and increasing public awareness of Lebanon’s scarce protected coastal areas were also broader goals of this research. Throughout 22 years of Israel’s occupation and since the withdrawal in May 2000, southern Lebanon has remained socially and economically isolated from the north. As tourists begin to return, urban sprawl, uncontrolled private investment and poorly planned tourist developments are threatening this vulnerable coastline (Newbury et al., 2002). Investigating coastal conservation strategies in southern Lebanon, in collaboration with the MedWetCoast Program, could develop positive approaches for future coastal zone management, sustainable development and increased public involvement.