Greenpeace handed Byblos Marine Reserve’s draft decree to the Ministry of Environment

Yasmin El Helwe, Greenpeace oceans campaigner in Beirut, asked the minister to adopt the project and push for it within the government to get the reserve declared before the end of his duty. El Helwe added: “The declaration of this reserve will be the stepping stone towards the protection of the sea of Lebanon, that will be fulfilled with the creation of an effective network of coastal marine reserves. Both the Minister of Interior Me. Zyad Baroud and the Minister of Agriculture Mr. Elias Skaff are fully supporting the project; Greenpeace is now counting on you and on the other concerned ministers and especially the minister of Transport Mr. Ghazi Al Aaridi to facilitate the process leading to sign the final decree.”

Dr. Karam thanked Greenpeace, Byblos Municipality and Fishermen Union for the efforts they have put in to gather the necessary elements for this decree; he explained: “The Ministry will take over the project and will push forward to get the reserve officially declared before the end of the current government. We always support such projects that help us accomplish our mission in protecting the environment.”

Byblos Mayor, Dr. Chami, elucidated the economic and touristic importance of the reserve for the historical city of Byblos, he explained that the area subject of the decree is a nursery to many fish species and stressed on the necessity of protecting it from the different threats that are endangering the fish stock thus the fishing community in Lebanon.

Finally, Greenpeace Mediterranean’s Executive Director Dr. Uygar Ozesmi congratulated the minister saying: “We appreciate that the minister will do his best to have Byblos marine reserve declared before the end of his term after we have presented to him all the necessary elements for its accomplishment. We look forward to celebrate Lebanon’s fist marine reserve; with this declaration, Lebanon will set an example to all Mediterranean countries, and will be the leader in protecting her coastal marine environment”.

Greenpeace is campaigning for the establishment of a network of coastal marine reserves to aid the recovery and protection of the Lebanese sea from the daily chronicle threats it is facing. This campaign in Lebanon is part of Greenpeace’s Defending our Mediterranean campaign aiming to protect 40% of the Mediterranean Sea with coastal and high-seas marine reserves as the main tool for the protection and sustainability of its resources and the populations depending on them.