Coastal occupation, restricted public access, shoreline alteration, pollution, and fragmented governance, individually and collectively, pose critical threats to Lebanon’s public maritime domain and the communities and ecosystems that depend on it. As a shared national asset, Lebanon’s coastline carries environmental, social, economic, health, and cultural value, yet only around 20 percent of it remains freely accessible to the public.
Who Owns the Shore? A Review of Coastal Access and Violations in Lebanon (2026) examines the legal meaning of the Maritime Public Domain, the scale and impacts of coastal violations, and the institutional responsibilities shaping coastal governance in Lebanon. The report brings together legal references, environmental data, spatial tools, stakeholder perspectives, and a focused case study on Seal Cave in Amchit.
Developed by Enmaeya’s Knowledge Hub, the paper highlights how weak enforcement, limited planning, and short-term private use can undermine long-term public value, while also pointing to opportunities for stronger environmental assessment, community monitoring, scientific evidence, and preventive coastal governance to protect Lebanon’s shoreline for present and future generations.
