On 7 November 2020, under the local citizen science activities, the Tyre Coast Nature Reserve (TCNR), as partner of the EU-funded COMMON project, conducted the beach litter monitoring activity at TCNR beach and touristic zone, with the aim to quantify, characterize and report the presence of marine litter.
Before the monitoring activity, Dr. Nahed Msayleb, presented the beach litter guide, filling the general information about the beach, and the photo guide, and mentioned that 100 m long was chosen from the touristic zone, non-cleaned since 3 weeks will be monitored for beach litter categories and amounts. Then, participants will identify the main litter-type found, and actions can be taken to tackle it accordingly.
At the touristic zone of TCNR beach, the GPS location was taken at the beginning and the end of the selected 100 m-long zone. The wastes found were collected. Tourists were encouraged as well and assisted in collecting the beach litter. All collected wastes filled in bags were gathered and delivered to TCNR office, to be later counted and reported with the participation of students.

The COMMON project (COastal Management and MOnitoring Network for tackling marine litter in Mediterranean Sea) is a European project which aims at building a collaboration network between Italy, Tunisia and Lebanon to support a correct management of marine litter. Funded under the ENI CBC Med Programme, it applies the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) principles to the challenge of marine litter, improving knowledge of the phenomenon, enhancing the environmental performance of 5 pilot coastal areas in Italy, Tunisia and Lebanon, and engaging local stakeholders in marine litter management.

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Press release

COMMON project fiche

ENI CBC Med – Cooperating across borders in the Mediterranean