Sustainable Coastlines — The Case of the Gaza Strip

Hasan Hamouda, Nadine Abu-Shaaban, and Eman Al-Swaity

Faculty of Applied Engineering and Urban Planning, University of Palestine, Gaza Strip, Palestine

Abstract: Sustainable development is not possible without safeguards to maintain a healthy, clean and productive natural environment. In particular, ocean and coastal ecosystems play a central role in shaping the earth’s climate and supporting both biodiversity and economy. The issue of beach litter is critically contributing to beach degradation which has adverse effects on marine life and beach users.

Explicitly, the Gaza Strip Coastline is subjected to extensive illegal dumping operations of beach litter. This problem is posing a threat to both marine life and people in the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, it has direct implications on the future prospect of sustainable development of the local population.

Although beach litter has received worldwide increasing attention in recent years, few studies have explored this phenomenon across the Gaza Strip Coastline. One significant barrier to enforcing a mitigating approach to Beach Litter in the Gaza Strip is the lack of a reliable science-based data. Addressing Beach Litter within the context presented, this research will fill the current scientific gap of different aspects associated with Beach Litter in the area.

Specific information on the sources, composition and quantities of generated beach litter were presented in this study. In addition, the perception of beach users on aspects related to beach litter was investigated. Results presented in this research map the first step along the path of sustainably managing the Gaza Strip Coastline.

Key words: beach litter, coastline, gaza strip and sustainability