Empowering the Local Community in Byblos for Marine Conservation: A Community-Based Approach in Lebanon

The health of our oceans is increasingly threatened by human activities, necessitating urgent action and community engagement. In Lebanon, more specifically in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Byblos, our project focuses on working with local youth and scuba divers to foster awareness of marine life and promote conservation efforts through our NGO Guardians of the Blue.

Our approach involves hands-on educational workshops, scuba diving activities, and community outreach campaigns designed to increase ocean literacy and knowledge of local marine biodiversity and its importance. The scuba diving cleanups activities we organize have been recognized by the UNESCO Green Citizens initiative. By empowering local youth and divers as guardians of the sea, we aim to create a ripple effect that extends beyond our immediate community, influencing peers and families to engage in responsible behaviors towards Lebanese marine ecosystems. 

Our project employs a multi-faceted approach, combining traditional knowledge with scientific education, enriching participants' understanding of the ocean's vital services, intrinsic values and cultural importance. Through collaborative efforts and the support of key partners such as the Municipality of Byblos, local scientists, and Xiphias Diving club, we have seen increased participation in local conservation initiatives and a heightened sense of responsibility towards marine environments.

The poster we want to present will highlight our methodology, key outcomes, and reflections on the challenges and successes encountered during implementation. Our findings underscore the importance of inclusive and community-driven approaches in marine education, in the specific context of Lebanon – navigating conflict, instability, lack of data, research and resources in Arabic – contributing to broader efforts to rethink humanity’s relationship with the ocean and to promote sustainable practices for future generations.

Keywords: ocean literacy, community-based, citizen science, Lebanon