Lebanon: Where Do We Swim This Summer?

The Secretary-General of the National Council for Scientific Research, Tamara Zain, has announced the results of the "Monitoring the Environmental Reality of the Lebanese Coast for 2023," which was conducted by the Center for Marine Sciences, to answer the recurring question: "Where do we swim this summer?" The study indicated that "37 reference points along the Lebanese coast, from the far north in Akkar to the far south in Naqoura, were analyzed, and it was found that some quantities of waste observed are alarming, especially regarding the predominance of plastic components. It is noteworthy that just a few weeks ago, most countries gathered under UNESCO to discuss new mechanisms to reduce plastic pollution, especially as many of the efforts made have not borne fruit." Zain stated: "According to the French Ministry of Ecological Transition, current estimates indicate that the amount of plastic in the oceans globally ranges from 75 to 199 million tons (which represents 85% of marine waste). Estimates suggest that about 640,000 tons of fishing nets are lost or abandoned in the sea every year, and that 80% of marine debris comes from land activities." She continued: "In the presentation that Dr. Fakhri will provide on the types and quantities of waste, you will see, for example, that a survey of a hundred meters of a popular beach during the spring yielded 23,290 pieces weighing 54 kilograms, including 31 kg of plastic. Unfortunately, the litter scattered on the beaches is also directly linked to the individual and collective behavior of those who visit the sea." She added: "This is an entry point for us to say that environmental issues in general, and waste of all kinds in particular, require a joint effort between citizens, civil society, municipalities, ministries, and scientists to reach radical and sustainable solutions. Regarding the council, I also reiterate that we have no goal, as a neutral and responsible scientific entity, other than providing reliable data to serve as a reference for decision-makers, and we do not engage in disputes aimed at political or commercial gain."