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Lebanon Oil Spill

July 17, 2007

Lebanon — Beirut (Lebanon), July 13th 2007 – On the first anniversary of the oil spill off the coast of Lebanon, Greenpeace Mediterranean is calling for long term, serious protection of the Mediterranean from all threats through the creation of a network of marine reserves, a main tool to safeguard the livelihoods of millions of people that depend on the sea.


A report entitled “The Mediterranean: From Crimes to Recovery; A Call For Protection” and an accompanying short video were released to mark the anniversary, and stress the urgent need for protection. The report sets arguments, from basic science to history, showing that a vast array of serious threats have been regularly destroying Mediterranean marine life, including Lebanese coastal waters, to which the oil spill has added damage (1). While the oil spill is being mitigated, no attempt has been made to stop the ongoing destruction.

“The oil spill was probably the most visible environmental impact of the war. One year later, at a time where local communities are still suffering post-conflict effects and war inflicted environmental damage, it is essential to develop a long-term system of recovery and protection. Preserving important species and habitats that make the Mediterranean Sea so unique and rich, will reverse the ongoing deterioration and benefit its marine life and peoples alike”, said Ghalia Fayad, Oceans campaigner at Greenpeace Mediterranean.

A network of marine reserves covering 40% of Lebanese waters would protect important coastal values such as hydrothermal vents, turtle and fish migration and breeding areas, as well as allow Lebanon to manage the marine environment and resources according to the precautionary principle and the ecosystem approach.

Greenpeace is campaigning for a global network of fully protected marine reserves covering 40% of our oceans as an essential way to protect the full range of marine life and restore the health of fish stocks.

Greenpeace is an independent, campaigning organization, which uses non-violent, creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems to drive solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.

Greenpeace contributed to mitigation efforts from September until October 2006 in coordination with the Oil Spill Operations and Coordination Centre (OSOCC) of the Lebanese Ministry of Environment, the Lebanese Navy, French, German and Danish experts collaborating with the Ministry of Environment, the Agency for Environmental Protection and Technical Services of Italy (APAT), the Central Institute of Marine Research (ICRAM) of Italy, the American University of Beirut (AUB) and local NGOs such as Bahr Loubnan.

For more information, please contact:
Basma Badran, Greenpeace Communications in Lebanon

Ghalia Fayad, Greenpeace Mediterranean Oceans Campaigner
Mobile:  03 018 788

Isabel Leal, Greenpeace International media officer, in Spain,
mobile,  +34 647 24 15 02

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