Hani during the launch of a partnership to protect natural resources from marine and hunting overfishing: It falls within the ministry's directions to implement the national agricultural strategy

The Ministry of Agriculture, represented by Minister Dr. Nizar Hani, signed a memorandum of understanding with the organization "IndyACT" and the "Middle East Center for Sustainable Fishing and Combating Overfishing" (MECSHAP), with the aim of launching a strategic partnership to protect natural resources from overfishing and hunting and to enhance the application of environmental laws and establish sustainable fishing practices in Lebanon, in a new step that reflects the Lebanese state's commitment to protecting its natural resources and promoting sustainable management of biodiversity.

Hani stressed that "this memorandum falls within the ministry's directions to implement the national agricultural strategy 2026-2035, which places partnership with civil society institutions and specialized bodies at the core of its priorities," and emphasized that "protecting natural resources requires the concerted efforts of all stakeholders." He said: "This cooperation aims to develop the marine environment, develop the fishing sector, and protect marine habitats by enhancing the application of laws, increasing environmental awareness, building the capacities of fishermen, and developing the fishing sector in general to ensure the sustainability of its resources for future generations."

For his part, Dr. George Youssef, representing the organization "IndyACT," pointed out that "this partnership constitutes a qualitative step towards building an integrated national model that combines official decision-making, scientific expertise, and field work, thereby enhancing environmental security and preserving natural resources for future generations."

As for the head of the Middle East Center for Sustainable Fishing and Combating Overfishing (MECSHAP), Adonis Al-Khatib, he saw that "this partnership embodies a true integration between the executive arm of the Ministry of Agriculture, represented by forest guards as judicial officers, and the scientific and field expertise possessed by both MECSHAP and IndyACT, which enhances coordination with the Internal Security Forces and the Lebanese Army, raises the effectiveness of implementing hunting laws, and directly reflects on the protection of biodiversity and natural resources."

It is worth noting that this partnership is based on the field experience accumulated by the MECSHAP Center over more than 10 years in the areas of combating illegal hunting, environmental monitoring and documentation, awareness and training, in addition to the pioneering role played by the organization "IndyACT" in protecting marine resources, especially fish wealth, through scientific research, policy development, capacity building, and enhancing regional and international cooperation. The memorandum aims to strengthen national efforts to reduce overfishing and environmental violations, exchange scientific and field expertise, develop national programs for environmental monitoring and documentation, implement training programs and capacity building for workers in the sector, in addition to launching national awareness campaigns on responsible fishing and the importance of preserving biodiversity and natural resources. This step confirms the commitment of the Ministry of Agriculture and its partners to enhance environmental governance and consolidate the concept of sustainable management of natural resources, thereby contributing to the protection of the Lebanese environmental heritage and the preservation of its marine and terrestrial resources as a fundamental pillar for sustainable development and environmental and food security in Lebanon.