Distribution of Black-winged Pratincole

© Mike Barth

5 Findings

The marine and coastal avifauna of Lebanon are severely degraded predominantly due to poaching (mainly by hunters, fishermen and farmers), lack of coordination and management amongst the various sectors responsible for the marine and coastal zone, combined with lack of consolidated data and information on the marine and coastal avifauna and limited awareness of the value and need for appropriate management amongst stakeholders. As such the present recommendations to conserve the coastal and marine birds in Lebanon, and to prevent and minimize the threats impacting them were based on field research and desktop work that considered the phenological and conservation status of the sea and coastal birds. The study primarily focused on birds description, habitats, frequency, density, abundance, distribution, reproduction, ecological benefits, economic benefits and the threats impacting them. In brief, it appears that many threats take toll on sea and coastal birds. They are hereinafter listed from the highest to the least priority threats in the eastern Mediterranean Sea:

Hence, there is a need to take appropriate measures in order to conserve marine and coastal birds in Lebanon and to prevent and minimize the threats on these species. Mitigation measures are given in this study beside several types of conservation indicators.

The recorded marine and coastal birds play an important role in the ecosystems and the economy of humans, if the latter choose to conserve these birds.

Seabirds are also very important for cycling nutrients onto land. Phosphates are very soluble and most pass to the sea. Birds eating fish and then defecating on land help to cycle nutrients that would otherwise be lost. Healthy seabird populations utilizing natural behaviors are good indicators that the marine environment is also healthy. A healthy seabird population would suggest that the marine environment is also safe and productive for other marine life and humans. Very few seabirds would indicate an area is overfished, seabirds relying on human wastes for food would indicate that society is changing the behavior of wildlife to its detriment and also managing waste in a way that is hazardous to society. Some seabirds are opportunists and generalists – they can adapt to exploit these resources, but may detriment themselves through ingesting plastic and persistent organic pollutants. They would however have a more natural diet without the human generated waste.

These birds are indicators of pollution, water contamination, climate change, ocean health and weather, fish schools’ localities, environmental monitoring in fresh and marine waters. Certain gull species are generalists and scavengers, some species exploit human waste as a source of food. The food resources represented by human waste generally attract coastal and seabirds, mainly when there is a depletion of natural resources such as fish, due to over-fishing.

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Habitat alteration

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Competition with other seagull species

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Untreated sewage effluent and heat

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Eeding on fish killed with “Lannate” by fishermen

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Rubbish dumping

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Eggs collection

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Disturbance

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Irresponsible hunting

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^Bycatch

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Diseases (avian botulism, avian influenza)

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Breeding sites alteration

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Chemical pollution

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Hot water outflows from power stations

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Contamination from agricultural and industrial operations

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Persecution by fishers

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Oil contamination

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Predation by rats

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Illegal killing

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Climate change

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Lead poisoning, and poor management of coastal areas and coastal birds that appeared to be of significant ecological and economic benefits

The high concentration of gulls at landfill sites, river mouths and sewage outfalls are indicative of the poor level of solid and liquid waste management in Lebanon.

Furthermore, this source of food is often detrimental to the health of the birds. Certain number of gull species are urban scavengers that offer services as they efficiently dispose of discarded food waste that would otherwise attract rodents and other vermin. Many coastal and marine birds may paddle the grass of the playing grounds or the ploughed agricultural fields to coax worms and other invertebrates. Despite this, the waders feed mainly on invertebrates in the mud and on beaches, they play a significant role in long-distance dispersal of seeds and algae that are transported internally (in the guts) or externally (on the feet). It is worth noting that the weak or sick fish that are usually swimming at the surface of water constitute an easy prey for the seabirds. This makes the gulls contribute to the natural selection process that helps maintaining a quality of fish for sustainable fishing. Finally, species habitats and behavior patterns are given for the studied birds as it helps in the management of these species.

The marine and coastal birds are receiving little attention in Lebanon. The proof is that their suitable habitats are altered or destroyed by urbanization and misguided management activities. This is despite the fact that the coastal and seabirds in Lebanon are supposed to be protected, among other creatures, under the Lebanon Hunting Law 580/2004, and the Ministerial Decision No. 396/1 issued by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2014; banning the hunting of all seabirds to protect them. Also, many of these birds are covered by the international Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the international African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and by the Barcelona Convention and its six protocols. In addition, the laws establishing the existing marine protected areas (MPAs) in Lebanon's Palm Island Nature Reserve (PINR) and Tyre Coast Nature Reserve (TCNR) and there have been management plans developed for each site.These laws and management plans as well as conservation actions are all contributing to the implementation of the articles of the protocol, which are related to the special protected areas and biodiversity. This also includes the following action plans: the Action Plan for the Conservation of Marine Turtles, the Action Plan for the Conservation of Bird Species, and the Action Plan on Marine Vegetation in the Mediterranean Sea.

6 Recommendations

Lebanon’s Marine Protected Area Strategy (MoE/IUCN, 2012) has the potential to guide the protection of marine and coastal bird species through the establishment and efficient management of new MPAs in Lebanon provided that appropriate legal and financial instruments will accompany the strategy to ensure its effective implementation. The strategy set must ensure benefits for seabirds and their habitats, especially that it is in line with the Barcelona Convention, and aims to create a network of marine protected areas in Lebanon which ensures, among others, the sustainable management of natural marine and coastal resources, the protection of the marine environment and coastal zones, and the protection of natural and cultural heritage.

That being said, a national policy is needed that: 1) ensures that marine and coastal birds and their habitats receive full protection through national and international legislation, 2) Prevents chemical pollution of the sea and oil spills, by promoting the preparation of relevant national action plans, 3) involves international conventions in the conservation of species and their habitats, 4) encourages the implementation of the specific mitigation measures in the significant areas of distribution of seabirds and for priority species first, and 5) promotes international cooperation and funding from bilateral agencies.

The present report contributes to the implementation of Lebanon’s Marine Protected Area Strategy and the Barcelona Convention as well as to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, AEWA and CMS by setting the following recommendations that are addressed to decision-makers, fishermen and the public, researchers, other stakeholders:

Breeding sites

Recommendation

Category Target audience

Fishermen

Protect all sites that appeared to be suitable for breeding of seabirds and coastal birds, namely the Little ringed Plover, Yellow-legged Gull and the former breeding species.

Prevent the sewage and waste water, solid waste materials, and garbage from reaching the sea or the coastal areas in order to reduce the dominance of the Yellow Legged Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull (waste and trash eaters) which, multiplies enormously on the expense of other seabirds that seek in vain sites for reproduction, roosting, foraging and resting.

Protect all sites that appeared to be suitable for breeding of seabirds and coastal birds, namely those used for resting, foraging and roosting.

Maintain the cultural salt pans that host the breeding Little ringed Plover.

The existence of breeding sites of marine and coastal birds should be taken into account when preparing and planning regulations.

Decision-makers Public,

researchers,

other

stakeholders

All proposed development and land-use changes threatening occupied and traditional breeding sites should be subjected to environmental impact assessment.

Prevent and reduce human access to breeding sites (disturbance) in order to prevent breeding failure and site desertion, especially that the timing of breeding activities is unexpected due to climate change. In 2019, the chicks hatched in mid-June instead of April and May due to extension of raining season. To fledge they need about one month, a matter that threaten the chicks by the visitors at the time of opening the season for visitation on the Palm Islands in the beginning of July. For the safety of the chicks, the season was opened on 20th of July.

Prevent egg-collecting through surveillance during the breeding period and enforce existing sanctions

Housing and industrial developments or any other kind of habitat alteration should be avoided in areas of wintering birds.

Enforce the law of the MPAs in order to avoid fishing activities in the proximity of breeding sites.

Establish new MPAs in areas that are candidates or designated IBAs.

All sites which regularly hold more than 200 sea or shore birds should receive legal protection.

Foraging, resting and roosting sites should also be protected, surveyed and monitored.

Wintering sites

All kinds of fishing with poisonous baits should not be allowed as seabirds may eat from poisoned fish and die.

It is not allowed to hook up seabirds. If it happens that a fisherman accidentally hooks a seabird, he should behave appropriately as described on the following site:

http://www.eregulations.com/california/fish-ing/saltwater/hooked-a-bird/ or inform the MoA as per the Decision 396/2014.

Fishermen should be aware of the rules to be followed in case of a bycatch as it is supposed that the bird is not an enemy to humans.

Fishermen should be aware of the benefits of sea and coastal birds to humans and their economy.

Evaluate the effects of fishing policies and regulations, in particular, data about fishing methods, fishing effort, fishing periods and captures should be collected and compared with the seabird species' population status and health.

Create non-fishing zones next to breeding bird colonies and keep fishermen away from these zones.

All birds site

Monitoring and research Roosting, wintering, resting and foraging sites of threatened and near-threatened species should receive conservation management and be monitored.

The current breeding and the future breeding populations of seabirds should be subjected to monitoring through planned surveys every 3-years in order to be able to compare out data with those of the north western birding communities. An effort should be made to identify all breeding sites.

Feeding ecology and habitat use in winter matter the ornithology of seabirds. Very few data exist on the winter ecology of marine and coastal birds, as on the species' habits outside the breeding season. A better knowledge of habitat selection and habitat use can provide useful information for conservation management. Importantly, the present project provides the needed baseline information about possible threats in the winter quarters.

Identify the most important passage sites and wintering areas. Intensive ringing (including color-ringing) campaigns should be promoted in order to permit a better understanding of movements and migration routes; these campaigns should be carefully planned to minimize disturbance. Planners should benefit from the Atlas to be able to defend the winter quarters and protect the winterers, especially that they are defined geographically and data on numbers and dispersal of the wintering population are also provided.

Monitor the winterers in order to determine the survival rates of young and adult birds in winter.

Promote research which is of direct application to the conservation and management of marine and coastal birds.

The effects of fishing policies and regulations should be evaluated. In particular, data about fishing methods, fishing effort, fishing periods and captures should be collected from different parts of the Mediterranean and compared with the species' population status, health and breeding success.

The impact of predation on the Little Ringed Plover by foxes, dogs, cats (especially domestic cats), reptiles, rodents, etc., should be assesed and monitored. Control programmes should be undertaken in the event of predation becoming a threat for the survival of this breeding species in Lebanon. The possibility of providing artificial refuges to the Little Ringed Plover chicks should be explored.

Studies of population dynamics, feeding and habitat selection of the Yellow-legged Gull are necessary in order to evaluate that species' impact on Audouin's Gull of Palm Islands Nature Reserve. Attempts of control of Yellow-legged Gulls should be based on sound scientific evidence that the species is a limiting factor for Audouin's Gull.

Monitor fishing activities for possible impact on breeding and wintering Audouin's Gulls. Beside the dominance of the Yellow-legged Gull, it seems that, in the long term, depletion of fish stocks could have a strong negative impact on Audouin's Gull, which relies mainly on clupeids (Sardine bizri, in east Mediterranean) and other seafood. The impact of the fishing industry and the methods used must be monitored and restricted for the sustainability of the industry itself and of seabird populations. Policies must be developed and implemented which prevent a direct impact of overfishing on Audouin's Gull.

In fact, most of the fishing gears use small mesh sizes and hooks with the consequence that small sized fishes and juveniles are present in the landings. Thus, the present practices of fishermen could be behind the departure of the former gulls and terns that once have bred in Lebanon: Audouin’s Gull Ichthyaetus audouinii.

Lesser Crested Tern Thalasseus bengalensis, Little Tern Sternula albifrons, and Common Tern Sterna hirundo.

Identify the values of the sea and coastal birds in order to incorporate them in the cultural and eco-tourism activities of the local communities and fishermen

Increase awareness about seabirds and coastal birds among politicians and decision-makers.

Inform the general public about the plight of the globally threatened species and the formerly bred species.

Involve tourists and fishermen in preventing disturbance.

Prepare and distribute educational and awareness material (leaflets, brochures, roll-up banners, booklets).

Adopt events to create opportunities to improve the knowledge of people and the value of birds.

Use the media to increase awareness.

Promote information exchange.

Conduct seminars, workshops and visits to fishermen in order to raise their awareness, mainly about the impact of their lost or discarded fishing equipment that poses a threat to living birds.

Public awareness

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INTERNATIONAL UNION

FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE IUCN Regional Office for West Asia Sweifiyeh, Abdel Latif Salah Street, #29 P.O. Box 942230 Amman 11194, Jordan Tel +962 (6) 554 6912/3/4

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在文檔中 Atlas of the coastal and seabirds of Lebanon (頁 52-64)