OPERATION BIG BLUE ASSOCIATION

With recent environmental challenges putting pressure on Lebanon’s coastline, Operation Big Blue Association has made it its mission to make sure the beach stays clean and the marine life remains stable.

“After the Lebanese Civil War, we had countless landfills spilling into the sea as well as dead marine life that we were uncovering during every dive,” says Iffat Edriss, president of the association. Some of Operation Big Blue's biggest achievements include working on policies to prevent the use of plastic bottles on the beach, starting with Ramlet el Bayda beach, as well as providing first aid to endangered marine life such as sea turtles. “We are working on ending the spewing of sewers into the sea, which is easier than people think it is; but we're constantly challenged by the absence of will from the political sphere and a need for greater awareness.”

03 743756, Operationbigblue