NNA — Today, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, El Mina Municipality, and the Embassy of Norway in Lebanon, inaugurated the first fully equipped wood boat maintenance workshop in El Mina. Supported by the North Lebanon Fisheries Syndicate and Cooperative Association, the new facility aims to strengthen the fishing sector and improve the livelihoods of coastal communities.
In El Mina and Tripoli alone, fishing remains the primary source of income for over 1,000 families, and sustains a broader network of jobs in processing, distribution, and fish sales. The newly established solar-powered workshop is set to directly benefit these families by enabling year-round, local boat maintenance - helping fishers save both time and money.
As part of the broader support, 152 elderly and vulnerable fishers also received essential fishing tools to enhance their safety and improve working conditions.
While the sector continues to face challenges such as aging infrastructure, environmental pressures, and economic hardship, this initiative provides tangible, targeted support to help sustain the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Dr. Ahmad Tamer, Acting General Director of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and General Director of Tripoli Port said: "We thank UNDP and the Government of Norway for their support in making this achievement possible. Fishing is a vital source of livelihood along the Lebanese coast, and it's essential that we continue to support and strengthen this sector. Lebanon currently produces only 8,000 tons of fish annually, while local demand stands at 30,000 tons."
H.E. Hilde Haraldstad, Ambassador of Norway to Lebanon, noted, "We are proud to support eco-conscious solutions. We are also pleased to be contributing to the empowerment of the fishing community and the development of the North, recognizing the significant needs of Mina and Tripoli and their surrounding areas."
"It is important to stress that this project marks not the conclusion, but the starting point for broader opportunities. It lays the foundation for larger development initiatives in El Mina and neighboring areas, focused on supporting livelihoods and promoting dignified living conditions that reflect the true needs and aspirations of the community," said Mr. Thair Shraideh, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Lebanon.
"This project represents a significant milestone that we take pride in as part of our partnership with the international community and organizations. "We are pleased to announce the launch of a comprehensive action plan to operationalize this workshop in line with quality and safety standards, train local staff, and provide sustainable job opportunities," said Mr. Abdallah Kabbara, El Mina Mayor.
This initiative builds on previous UNDP support to the El Mina, which included the installation of solar panels and an ice-making machine for the fish market, interventions that have significantly reduced operational costs by 60%, thus increasing profitability for the fishing community and the sustainability of operations of the fishing cooperative.
Since 2014, UNDP has supported the fishing sector along Lebanon's coast, from Tripoli to Naqoura, through various projects aimed at revitalizing this important livelihood.
