[1] The Tyre Marine Management Area (TyMMA) pilot project in Tyre, Lebanon aims to establish a marine protected area and artificial reef project to address conflicts between traditional and tourism users, resource degradation, and economic and security issues. [2] The goals of the TyMMA include co-existence between users with minimal conflict, supporting the local economy and culture, increasing fish stocks, achieving self-sustainability, and gaining international recognition. [3] A marine protected area is an area dedicated to protecting biodiversity and natural/cultural resources. The TyMMA proposes establishing no-take zones, fishing priority areas, and multiple use areas to balance conservation and sustainable use.

1. TYRE MARINE MANAGEMENT AREA - TyMMA
A Pilot Artificial Reef project and Marine Protected Area
Marine & Community Values

2. CURRENT SITUATION
• Increase in water-based tourism activity in Tyre vs. traditional users
• Conflict and competition for limited space and resources among
various users and uses
• Degradation of resources; loss of economic opportunity; threat of
violence!
• Initial unsuccessful effort by Department of Fisheries

6. A SET OF GOALS
• Co-existence of users with minimal conflict
• Support the locals, improve the local economy, highlight the cultural
heritage
• Increase in fish stocks, in marine reserves and fishing areas and
reflection of these increases in fishermen’s catches
• Self-sustainability with regards to operating costs
• International recognition
• Community support
• Enhanced awareness and sensitization

7. MARINE PROTECTED AREA - MPA
According to the UNEP, a protected area is defined as:
An area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and
maintenance of biological diversity and of natural and associated cultural
resources, managed through legal or other effective means…

8. THE IMPORTANCE OF MPAs
• MPAs are recognized as an important way to conserve life-
sustaining ecosystems and specific habitat for marine animals
• Used to protect and preserve representative samples of marine
biodiversity for the benefit of future generations
• They are distinct from terrestrial protected areas by being less
about preventing immediate threats or looming extinction and
more about precaution and the benefits to industry of
preserving types of habitat

9. BENEFITS OF MPAs
MPAs have been shown to have substantial benefits for:
• Renewing fish and other marine populations
• Scientific and educational initiatives
• Encouraging support of marine conservation from human
communities
• Attracting important economic interest from marine ecotourism
that is compatible with zoned MPAs.

10. BENEFITS OF MPAs
CNRS
CNRS

12. NOT TO MIX WITH…
Areas where access is restricted for reasons other than
conservation do not fall under the classification for MPAs
Shellfish closures
Security zones
Sewage discharge areas
Pipeline and cable corridors
Or unprotected areas logistically inaccessible
due to weather, sea state, etc..

13. ISSUES TO CONSIDER FOR MPAs
Constancy of Protection Primary conservation goal
• Year-Round • Natural Heritage
• Seasonal • Cultural Heritage
• Sustainable Production
Scale of Protection Level of Protection
• Ecosystem • No Access
• Focal Resource • No Impact
• No Take
• Zoned With No-Take Areas
Allowed Extractive Activities • Zoned Multiple Use
• Commercial Fishing • Uniform Multiple Use
• Recreational Fishing Permanence of Protection
• Subsistence Fishing • Permanent
• Scientific/Educational • Conditional
• Mineral/Energy Extraction • Temporary

14. ARTIFICIAL REEF – THE TOOL
An artificial reef is anything from the size of a beer can to something as
large as a ship...
Once in the water, within weeks things start to grow
A few months later small marine animals show up
More and more marine life begin to make this home
Within a year, when the buffet opens, fish and friends move in...
With time, they form a mini self- sustaining ecosystem living off itself and
producing surplus marine animals to help resupply our fishery
Without artificial reefs for protection, the chance of living to maturity
would be slim…
The setting up of ARs to attract fish in Mediterranean goes
back to around 3,000 years ago!

15. ARTIFICIAL REEF

16. A NETWORK OF PROTECTION
PROPOSED 30 TO 40%
TO DATE 3.88% THANKS TO THE PELAGOS SANCTUARY (90.000KM2)
GLOBAL PROTECTION 0.65%

17. LOCALLY, START WITH Tyre Coast Nature Reserve
• Marine Reserves
• Fishing Priority Areas
• Mooring Areas
• Recreational Areas
• Multiple Use Areas

18. THREATS TO BE CONTAINED AND CONTROLLED
• Sedimentation, Ocean dumping, Sewage, Toxics, Damage to Nests,
Vessel collision…
• Overuse of certain dive sites (localized congestion)
• Non-compliance with rules and regulations by fishers from
communities adjacent to Tyre
• Lenient penalties
• Inadequate consultation regarding development activity or inadequate
and/or untimely action when reports are made
• Late payment of user fees

19. NEW DEVELOPMENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
• Spread the Marine Management
Area projects
• Proposed new green ecological hotel
development in the TyMMA,
including marina
• International Conservation Site
• Sedimentation & wastewater,
coupled with the compounding
effects of storm events and Global
warming

20. STEPS AND SOLUTIONS…
• Engaging and protecting local communities
• Support NGOs advocacy work
• Support political decentralization – Empowering local
governments [Municipalities, Unions of Municipalities] as to
ensure efficient means of law enforcement
• Targeted Funding and Grant-Making
But also, educate society and push for environmental
awareness in school curriculums!

21. EVERY SECOND BREATH WE TAKE COMES FROM THE SEA…
LETS PROTECT OUR SEAS AND OCEANS AND THE PEOPLE
THAT DEPEND ON IT