Due to a lack of modern nets and fishing methods, Lebanese fishermen cannot fish on an industrial level and are therefore classified as “artisans.” Also at issue is the use of fishing nets with extremely small (and illegal) mesh size, leading to grave consequences for the marine ecosystem and on fish stocks. Additionally problematic is the illegal use of dynamite which is still widespread. Simply put, fishing equipment is expensive and traditional fishermen have no access to institutional credit, leaving them with few choices
SEAL’s priority is to support the use of more sustainable fishing practices in collaboration with the local fishing communities. A 2016 SEAL initiative distributed two fishing nets per fisherman, with the same specifications for nets as those distributed through previous grants to Saida, Tyre, Al Sarafand, Chekka and Tripoli.
