Israeli restrictions imposed off the coasts of southern Lebanon have narrowed available fishing areas, causing a decline in production and exacerbating the livelihood crisis of sailors, amid rising fuel and sailing costs. Since March 3, Israel has launched an aggression on Lebanon that has resulted in more than 4,300 killed and 12,400 injured, and displaced more than one million people, according to Lebanese authorities.
Concentration of fishermen in Sidon
The president of the Fishermen Syndicate, Sami Rizq, clarified that the number of fishermen varies between ports, with the Naqoura port housing around 100 fishermen before work stopped there, while the Sidon port houses around 400 fishermen. He added that the number of fishermen in the Sour port ranges between 400 and 450 depending on the season, and in Sidon between 200 and 250. With Israeli control over parts of the area, dozens of fishermen moved their boats to other ports, especially Sidon.
Security risks and electronic jamming
For his part, the director of the Lebanese Diving Center in Sidon, Youssef Al-Jundi, said that fishermen moving their boats to Sidon increased competition for available areas. He pointed out that a coastal strip extending for about 8 kilometers between Mansouriya and Naqoura is now out of reach. He confirmed that Israeli boats chase fishermen and fire in their vicinity when they approach certain areas, threatening their safety.
Al-Jundi added that jamming the "GPS" system increases sailing risks and threatens the safety of boats, especially with the presence of hidden underwater rocks. Diving and marine tourism trips to distinguished sites, such as the sea caves in Al-Bayada, have also stopped due to the inability to reach them.
Economic pressures and repercussions
Rizq explained that rising fuel prices and declining production have reduced the economic viability of fishing, as daily returns are no longer sufficient to cover costs. He warned that restrictions are not limited to preventing access to certain areas, but include a direct threat to life. These restrictions fall within a broader reality imposed by military developments, despite the "framework formula" agreement signed on June 26.
Source: Anadolu Agency
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