A national conference addressing the future of fisheries and marine resource management was held in Beirut under the title “Bringing the Pulse Back to the Sea.” The event was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture with the support of the Prime Minister, in collaboration with IndyACT, University of Balamand, and ACTED, and took place at the Grand Serail. It drew wide participation from governmental authorities, security forces, customs, coastal guards, civil defense, embassies, international donors, civil society organizations, municipalities, universities, the private sector, fishermen, and their unions.
Speakers emphasized the strategic importance of the fisheries sector to Lebanon’s food security and national economy, noting the urgent need for sustainable policies, strengthened legal frameworks, and effective monitoring to confront environmental pressures and economic challenges.
The conference focused on the decline of fish stocks and the degradation of marine ecosystems due to overfishing and weak management. IndyACT highlighted the need to move beyond short‑term fixes toward long‑term, science‑based approaches, notably the establishment of an integrated network of marine protected areas covering 30% of Lebanon’s waters where fishing is restricted — a solution shown by scientific studies to be among the most effective for restoring stocks and boosting ecosystem resilience.
Organizers affirmed that successful fishery management requires a participatory approach involving government institutions, international partners, civil society, academia, the private sector, and fishermen as essential stakeholders in protecting the sea and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.
