🪸 Protect Lebanon’s Marine Heritage – Act Now on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Petition to the Ministry of Environment
To the Ministry of Environment,
Recent scientific research has reinforced the vital role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in maintaining healthy, resilient marine ecosystems. The benefits of MPAs include:
🌊 Restoring and protecting critical marine ecosystems
🏛️ Safeguarding underwater cultural heritage
🐟 Protecting fish nursery habitats and spawning grounds
🪼 Maintaining marine biodiversity
🔁 Ensuring long-term sustainable use of marine resources
🌋 Protecting unique geologic and ecological features
🎣 Replenishing commercially important fish stocks
🏝️ Increasing revenue from tourism and ocean-based businesses
⚓ Creating job opportunities in ocean-related industries
In light of these benefits, we, the undersigned, call on the Ministry of Environment to:
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Establish an effective network of MPAs covering at least 30% of Lebanon’s marine area by 2030.
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Immediately implement the National Marine Protected Area Network Strategy developed by the Ministry.
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Ensure effective management, monitoring, and financial resourcing of all existing and future MPAs.
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Develop and enforce strategies to halt all land- and sea-based activities harming MPA ecosystems.
