Driven by the complete absence of marine environmental protection efforts at both the local and national levels — and by their deep passion for the sea — the Blue Guardians Foundation was launched in the Lebanese city of Byblos in October 2020. The founders were united by their love for the sea after witnessing firsthand the growing impacts of pollution and climate change on Lebanon’s coasts.
Laura Khattab, the co-founder, told Green in Arabic that this passion transformed their frustration with reality into a strong drive to act — to protect and restore marine biodiversity.
Concrete Achievements
Since its establishment, Blue Guardians has achieved tangible results on the ground. The organization developed a management plan for the future marine protected area in Byblos, with support from the WWF Mediterranean and in collaboration with local communities in the Byblos area.
Leading a Campaign Against Invasive Lionfish
The foundation has removed more than four tons of waste from the seabed and spearheaded a campaign to catch thousands of invasive lionfish, which were then sold to local restaurants and markets to promote their consumption and reduce their environmental threat. The organization also contributed to repurposing lionfish fins and tails into handcrafted jewelry, and designed educational posters showcasing Byblos’ marine biodiversity, according to Khattab.
Raising Awareness and Knowledge
Blue Guardians’ activities extended beyond the sea to spreading community awareness and knowledge. They organized youth workshops in collaboration with the municipalities of Byblos and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (France), using social media—especially Instagram—and public events featuring photos and information about Lebanon’s marine life.
“We believe there is no protection without knowledge, and no love without awareness,” said Khattab. “Our mission is to **introduce people to the treasures of their sea, so they can love and protect it.”
Challenges Facing Blue Guardians
One of the main challenges facing Blue Guardians today is funding. Khattab noted that “financial stability is almost nonexistent in Lebanon, which makes it difficult to find supporters for marine environmental projects.” She added that the lack of awareness about marine biodiversity and the absence of environmental education are among the greatest obstacles, along with climate change, which brings invasive species into the sea and causes the disappearance of local species unable to withstand rising temperatures.
As for the most dangerous sources of pollution in the Arab region, Khattab pointed to oil spills, chemical plants, and coastal industries that discharge their waste directly into the sea, in addition to the plastic crisis, where plastics break down into micro-particles that contaminate the entire food chain.
Ambitious Goals
Looking to the future, Blue Guardians has big ambitions, such as supporting the establishment of the marine protected area in Byblos, producing a documentary film on the Lebanese sea, promoting the responsible fishing of lionfish, and collaborating with local scientists to document marine species. The organization also hopes to establish a “Sea School” in Byblos to spread environmental knowledge and educate the next generation about the importance of protecting Lebanon’s coasts.
