Where?

Ghar El Melh Lagoon, located in northern Tunisia in the Gulf of Tunis, is an exceptional site recognized for its ecological and cultural value. Covering 28.5 km², this shallow lagoon has been recognised as a Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) since 2007.

Its traditional agricultural system, Ramli, is recognized by the FAO as Globally Important Agricultural Heritage (GIAHS). Since 2022, the lagoon and the Observatory Medjerda LIttoral (OMELI) have been part of UNESCO-IHP’s ecohydrology demonstration sites, highlighting their role as a model for coastal ecosystem conservation and integrated management.

By whom?

The Association TunSea pour la Science Participative is implementing this project.

TunSea is a Tunisian (Sea-tizen) Citizen’s science platform which aims to promote marine educational actions and innovation, exchange of information, and cooperation between youth movements, associations, fishers, scientists, and citizens related to various fields of local, regional and global marine sciences.

Which challenges?

Ghar El Melh Lagoon faces significant degradation from human pressures. Terrestrial discharges reduce water and sediment quality, while accelerated coastal erosion—exacerbated by the construction of a fishing port in 1974 and the Sidi Salem dam in 1982—disrupts hydrological and sediment dynamics. Unregulated tourism adds further pressure, and traditional Ramli agricultural lands are gradually disappearing, threatening local livelihoods and food security.

About the project

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