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Biodiversity Journal 2024

  • Biodiversity Journal, 15 (4): 765-771

    Esmail Shakman, Abdalaha Elmgwashi, Mohamed Hajaji, Abdalaha Karmous, Nairuz Bek Benghazi, Abdulfattah Elfituri, Yassine Sghaier & Khaled Etayeb
    Ecological importance of Al-Gara Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the eastern part of Sirte Gulf, Libya
    https://doi.org/10.31396/Biodiv.Jour.2024.15.4.765.771

    ABSTRACT
    Islands are important ecosystems for biodiversity and also represent a refuge area for many species, often threatened, that live on them. The Libyan coastline is characterized by the presence of many islands. In term of biodiversity hotspots, eight important sites have been identified in Libya. Al-Gara is one of these sites as important island ecosystem; it was declared as Marine Protected Area (MPA) according to the resolution of the Minister of Environment No. 272 of 2021, which includes the area surrounding the island. This island is annually hosting the biggest colony of the Lesser crested tern Thalasseus bengalensis (Lesson, 1831), the main breeding site for this species in the Mediterranean, and it is also a breeding ground for the European shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis (Linnaeus, 1761). Fieldwork was conducted on February and May 2023. Eleven (11) species of Macrophytes have been collected during this study, 17 species of Molluscs, four Crustaceans and 16 Fish species including five non indigenous species. Illegal fishing and illegal fishing gears, fishing in critical ecosystems, invasive species, overfishing and oil pollution are the most important threats to Al-Gara MPA.