Project for the preparation of a Strategic Action Plan for the ...

SAP-BIO-Lebanon National Report Page 22 of 95
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Fishing in Lebanon is traditional as there are no trawler fleets as no trawling grounds. Statistics on
fisheries including number of fishermen and fishing boats are at best educated guesses. There is an
estimated 1000 fishing boats used by approximately 2500 fishermen who fish 300 days of the year. It is
estimated that the annual catch is between 4,000 and 6,000 tons. Imported fish, mostly from Turkey,
Egypt and from the Gulf, amount to 6,000-10,000 tons per annum. Based on these estimates annual fish
consumption per capita stands at 3-5 Kg.
Mostly because of financial considerations, Lebanese have abandoned many of their traditional cottage
industries that were linked to the sea. There are numerous salt extraction ponds that could be revitalized,
coupled with other traditionally coastal practices such as olive oil and carob extraction. A whole new
meaning could be given to the idea of the integrated village along the coast.
In this context, it is relevant to consider introducing new industries such as aquaculture as is the case in
neighboring countries like Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. Such practices will ease the pressure on wild
stocks and, at the same time, will provide employment to fishermen.
13. Existing legal regulations
The MOA issued many decisions regulating fishing but there is an extensive lack of law enforcement.
Illegal constructions have created irreparable damage to the coast. This state of affairs coupled with lack
of law enforcement and land use plans has resulted in the gradual exclusion of the public from the coastal
zone. As a result there is apathy and, at times, a lack of co-ordination amongst the various stakeholders. A
new draft law for the restructuring of the MoE is awaiting endorsement and includes the setting up of an
Advisory Council for the Environment that will take on this co-ordinating role.
The following are some of the ministerial decisions that have direct impact on the marine ecosystem
(please note that these regulations have been translated form the Arabic language):
• Every professional fisherman must apply and receive a fishing permit that carries a personal
photograph. Recreational fishermen must apply for a fishing permit that is given free of charge. A
fine and/or imprisonment between two to ten days will be applied on all offenders.
• It is prohibited to hunt from the coastline using fire-guns, even with a hunting permit, or if the sea
depth is less than six meters.
• A sentence of two to ten days will be applied on all fishing permit holders if caught fishing outside
of the fishing season and assigned fishing grounds.
• It is prohibited to net fish by disturbing the water in any means except by the use of paddles.
Offenders will be subject to either a fine and/or imprisonment of six days to one month.
• Any person caught using explosives or illegal baits for fishing, or any person selling products
caught using the aforementioned techniques, or any party knowledgeable of such fishing methods
will be penalized with a fine and/or imprisonment ranging form two months to two years
• A fine and/or imprisonment will applied for the following offences:
o Any party that manufactures or uses illegal fishing gear (nets, long line etc.)
o Any party that does not return undersized fish to the sea
• Ministerial decisions issued by the minister of agriculture banning the fishing of whales, monk seals
and marine turtles (decision 125/1 date 23-9-99).
• Ministerial decision regarding national standards for environment quality was issued by the MoE in
January 2001 (decision 8/1). The decision defined the environmental limit values (ELV) for
wastewater discharged into the sea.
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Prepared By M. Nader & S. Talhouk June, 2002