Field Study of Proposed Marine Protect Area and their Role on the Coastal Sustainable
Development in Syria

• ⁽¹⁾ Adib Saad and ⁽²⁾ Akram Issa Darwish
• ⁽¹⁾ Laboratory of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University P.O.Box 1408 Lattakia, Syria.
  
• Email: adibsaad@scs-net.org
• ⁽²⁾ Directorate of Bidiversiry and Protected Area, Ministry of Local in ministration and Environment

Abstract

Coastal zones which include the entire continentale shelf supply about 90% of global fish catch and near 25 % of global primary productivity. At the same time, they are among the most endangered areas: pollution, eutrophication, changing sediment load, urbanization, land reclamation, overfishing, mining and tourism continuously threaten the coastal ecosystems.
One of the major challenges facing us today is the sustainable management of the coast and the marine resource.
This project will develop a management plan for sustainable use of the coastal zone in Syria by creation a coastal and marine protected area
Marine Protected Areas Proposed Along The Syrian Coast.
1- Um Toyour to Ras Al Basit: This MPA and focus of this report is proposed to preserve the diversity of animal and plant life of the area, specifically the zoo- and phyto-benthos, bony fish, two species of endangered marine turtle, the green and loggerhead (Chelonia mydas and Caretta caretta respectively), which were recently observed in the area during a diving expedition and the endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). Dolphins (truncatus?) have also been sighted in the area.
2- Al Sanawobar to Jable situated south of Latakia: An area of approximately 10 km of coast reaching 5 km seaward are proposed to principally protect the green and loggerhead marine turtles that inhabit the waters and nest on the extensive sandy beach of the area. The Mediterranean green turtle (a critically endangered sub-population) was first reported nesting in the area in 2004 (Rees & Saad, unpublished data) and does so at a regionally significant level. Additionally the proposed MPA will benefit the littoral fish populations including sparidae, mugilidae, solidae and Mronidae. Dicentrarchus labrax a species of Mronidae recorded in the area is registered as endangered
3- Arwad Island and Tartous region: Stretching 5 km of coast and reaching 3 km out to sea this proposed MPA principally concerns the protection, and hence increase, of sponge populations and their relevant biosystems / ecosystem.
4-Syria/Lebanon border and the estuary of the Nahr Al Kabir Aljenouby river: At 10 km long and extending 5 km to the sea, this MPA, which is already partly effective due to its location at the border between Lebanon and Syria, has special reference to the protection of fish, including Serranidae, and the endangered Nile Soft-shelled turtle (Trionyx triunguis).
Keys Words: Sustainable Development, coastal protected Area, Syrian Coast