Along the shimmering coast of southern Lebanon lies a natural haven teeming with underwater life, historic legacies, and rare marine habitats. The Tyre Coast Nature Reserve (TCNR), already celebrated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance and a SPAMI (Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance), has recently been the focus of an ambitious ecological study conducted by the Specially Protected Areas Regional Activity Centre (SPA/RAC) in collaboration with Lebanon’s Ministry of Environment. The result is a groundbreaking report that brings to light the vibrant — and vulnerable — marine ecosystems nestled in this coastal gem.
The report, supported by the European Union under the IMAP-MPA project, reveals the extraordinary diversity of Tyre’s coastal and marine habitats. From its supralittoral sands that welcome sea turtle hatchlings to the maërl beds brimming with delicate coralline algae, TCNR represents a microcosm of Mediterranean biodiversity.
🪸 A Symphony of Habitats
The ecological characterization identified over 26 distinct habitats spanning soft and hard bottoms, from shoreline sands to circalittoral depths. The study uncovered:
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Sandy beach habitats essential for Caretta caretta (loggerhead) and Chelonia mydas (green) sea turtle nesting;
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Rich maërl beds, rare across the Mediterranean, hosting rhodoliths like Neogoniolithon brassica-florida and acting as nurseries for commercially important fish;
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Infralittoral macroalgae forests swaying with Cystoseira and Dictyota, nurturing myriad marine species;
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Unique freshwater springs beneath the sea, both cold and warm, forming mysterious microhabitats at depths of 13 and 40 meters.
🐠 The Pulse of the Reef
With over 300 marine species recorded, including 70 fish species, TCNR bursts with life. Notably, nearly 14% of identified species are non-indigenous, including invasive fish such as Pterois miles (lionfish) and Parupeneus forsskali, which now contribute significantly to local fisheries. While invasive, their growing presence reflects the shifting ecological balance in the Eastern Mediterranean, influenced by warming waters and human activity.
The study’s meticulous surveys, conducted between 2013 and 2020, document the presence of threatened species protected under the Barcelona and Bern Conventions — making a compelling case for stronger protective measures.
🚨 Under Pressure: Threats Lurking in Paradise
Despite its beauty, TCNR is under threat. Pollution, overfishing, spearfishing with SCUBA gear, habitat degradation, and the spread of invasive species all loom large. Tourism surges in summer, bringing with it sewage, solid waste, and trampling of fragile dune habitats. Climate change adds another dimension of risk — rising sea levels, shifting precipitation patterns, and warmer waters could irreversibly alter the reserve’s delicate ecosystems.
⚖️ From Research to Action
The report doesn’t stop at diagnosis. It issues a clarion call for:
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A comprehensive management plan tailored to marine and terrestrial zones;
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Sustained financing and staff training;
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Monitoring programs for invasive species, benthic habitats, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals;
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Public education and enforcement of protective laws.
Tyre, already known for its archaeological grandeur, now stands as a beacon of marine conservation in Lebanon. With this scientific blueprint in hand, stakeholders from ministries to local communities have a powerful tool to safeguard their coastal heritage.
🕊️ A Legacy for the Mediterranean
“In memory of our beloved friend Ziad Samaha (1981–2023), who found peace beneath the waves and whose passion for the Mediterranean Sea inspires our pursuit of learning,” reads the report’s dedication. It’s a poignant reminder that conservation is not just about data and policies — it’s about people, places, and the shared responsibility of stewardship.
As Lebanon faces turbulent times, the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve emerges as a symbol of resilience — where science, community, and nature converge to protect what matters most.
