Application case: EB-ICZM in Kneiss Islands Nature Reserve (Tunisia) Report type: Thematic Scoping

Project name: MED4EBM - Mediterranean Forum For Applied Ecosystem-Based Management Application case: EB-ICZM in Kneiss Islands Nature Reserve (Tunisia) Report type: Thematic Scoping Issued by: Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer

ISP subscriber: Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer Print Date: 17/05/2021 Page 1 of 7 Application case: EB-ICZM in Kneiss Islands Nature Reserve (Tunisia) Report type: Thematic Scoping

Item Description Key management issues Key stakeholders Identify each of the main components which constitute the Identify the most important management Identify the most important stakeholders (e.g. Biophysical key coastal and marine biophysical systems (e.g. climate; issues (e.g. resource uses and/or conflicts; institutional management, data provider, systems hydrological and hydrogeological system; coastal ecological problems/threats) and try to resources user) and try to associate them with vegetation types; wetlands; mangroves; rocky coast;... associate them with the related “biophysical... the related “biophysical component” by... Wetlands Coastal erosion due to destruction of halophytic APAL (Agence de Protection et d'Aménagement du vegetation. Littoral), DGF (General Forest Direction), CRDA Watercourses WADRAN OUEDS and SMARA OUEDS Lack of Posidonia cover. (Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Submersion of Kneiss Islands due to sea level Development), Municipality of Ghraiba, Sfax rising.... University. Coastal erosion due to destruction of halophytic APAL (Agence de Protection et d'Aménagement du vegetation. Littoral), DGF (General Forest Direction), CRDA Tidal channels Lack of Posidonia cover. (Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Submersion of Kneiss Islands due to sea level Development), Municipality of Ghraiba, Sfax rising.... University. Coastal erosion due to destruction of halophytic APAL (Agence de Protection et d'Aménagement du vegetation. Littoral), DGF (General Forest Direction), CRDA Intertidal zones (Estran) Lack of Posidonia cover. (Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Submersion of Kneiss Islands due to sea level Development), Municipality of Ghraiba, Sfax rising.... University. Coastal erosion due to destruction of halophytic APAL (Agence de Protection et d'Aménagement du vegetation. Littoral), DGF (General Forest Direction), CRDA Supratidal mudflat (Sebkhas) Lack of Posidonia cover. (Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Submersion of Kneiss Islands due to sea level Development), Municipality of Ghraiba, Sfax rising.... University. Agricultural Ecosystem Olive Groves Identify key groups of which, for any reason, are of Identify the most important management Identify the most important stakeholders (e.g. particular interest for the management of the focused issues (e.g. resource uses and/or conflicts; institutional management, data provider, Plant species ecosystems (e.g. endemic; threatened; invasive; ecological problems/threats) and try to resources user) and try to associate them with commercial. Note that plant communities/habitat may be... associate them with the related “biophysical... the related “biophysical component” by...

APAL Seagrasses cover. INSTM Dominant species: Posidonia sp. Marine Flora Destruction by illegal fishery techniques Universities Cymodoca nodosa CRDA Zostera sp. Marine Guard (Ministry of Interior)

DGF APAL Species of commercial values as cosmetic and pharmaceutical (NGOs) Terrestrial Flora uses. WWF RAC-SPA IUCN

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Item Description Key management issues Key stakeholders

Impact of the climate changes on the regression of Presence of endemic species, threated species. the vegetation cover. Halophilic vegetation Please see APAL Management Plan Illegal camping. Vegetation burning.

Presence of endemic species, threated species. Nitrophilic vegetation Please see APAL Management Plan

Presence of endemic species, threated species. Nitrohallophilic vegetation Please see APAL Management Plan

=> Identify key groups of species which, for any reason, Identify the most important management Identify the most important stakeholders (e.g. are of particular interest for the management of the issues (e.g. resource uses and/or conflicts; institutional management, data provider, focused ecosystems (e.g. endemic; threatened; invasive; ecological problems/threats) and try to resources user) and try to associate them with species commercial). associate them with the related “biophysical the related “biophysical component” by listing => Identify also key groups/taxa which are important in component” by listing each of them in the same each of them in the same line as that of the the structure of the relevant ecosystems and related... line as that of the related component. related component. Increase of yellow-legged gull Eggs’ trampling by human AAO Kneiss island is the most important area of birds in term of Destruction of habitats DGF Birds numbers in the Gulf of Gabes. Available data: number of Effect of climate changes on the distribution of the Gabes University species; species abundance birds in the island and on the time of coming to the (data provider) zone AAO DGF Nesting species Gabes University (data provider)

The imporant species are: AAO Effect of climate changes on the distribution of the Larus méchahellis DGF Migratory species birds in the island and on the time of coming to the Aignetta garzetta Gabes University zone Photoenicopteris ruber resens (data provider)

Estimation of number of retained species target species and bycatch: about 50 species. Key species (protected, flag species) need to be added. Illegal, unreported and unregulated IUU fishing. The most of them have an economic relevance. Commercialisation chain issues. Available information: DGPA Destructive fishery techniques. catcht / species/ fishing gear CRDA Overexploitation. Fish Work forces (people, boats, fishing activities) known Ministry Agriculture No retained species (discards and ETP species): Few Research instititution INSTM and Universities Impact of irregular gear on ichthyofauna information about this species (lassad neifar; Impact of external factors (pollution climate changes on the biodiversity) More biodiversity information needs to be added Ichtyofauna recensement biodiversity

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Item Description Key management issues Key stakeholders Pelagic fish Benthic fish

Shrimps (Penaeus kurathurus, which is endemic and P. aztecus, Illegal fishery DGPA which is invasive. Metapeneus monocerus). Commercialisation chain issues Crustacea CRDA Blue crab is an invasive species Destructive fishery techniques Ministry Agriculture More biodiversity information needs to be added Overexploitation

Mollusca

Bivalve (Ruditapes decussatus) Illegal fishery Commercialisation chain issues Squid (Sepia officinalis) Destructive fishery techniques Eledon muscata DGPA Overexploitation Cephalopoda More biodiversity information needs to be added CRDA Decrease of exploitable stock Ministry Agriculture Suspension of the clam collection Clam (R. decussatus) Illegal and destructive clam relay Couteau ( marginatus) Illegal, unreported and unregulated IUU fishing

Marine Turtles: Kneiss island is a passage and wintering site Reptiles Lizards (Species to be added)

Frog species are present, observed with rainy weather (they Amphibians avoid saline environment), in particular along the water courses. Marine mammals: Dolphins and sometimes, near the islands, Mammals whales (Balaenoptera musculus) Other Invertebrates

Habitat destruction. Research institutions Phylum that includes jellyfish, sea anemones, corals Cnidaria Pollution. Universities (Better description is needed) Impact of external factors and illegal gear. RAC-SPA

Research institutions Echinodermata Sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers Impact of external factors and illegal gear. Universities RAC-SPA

Research institutions Terrestrial insects. Coleoptera (Neirun) and the fly S. oleae damage Insecta Universities Example: Saissetia oleae (fly) the olive groves. RAC-SPA

Terrestrial arachnids Arachnida Scorpions

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Item Description Key management issues Key stakeholders Identify the most important management Identify the most important stakeholders (e.g. Identify the main groups/category coastal infrastructures Coastal issues (e.g. ecological problems/threats related institutional management, data provider, user (e.g. ports; marinas; hotels; road network; urban areas; infrastructures to the given infrastructure) and try to associate of the infrastructure) and try to associate them irrigation and drainage networks). them with the related “biophysical... with the related “biophysical component” by... Sea Ports One of the 2 main Harbour presents inside the protected area of Electricity problems, lack of maintenance, sitting up Zaboussa Port APIP (Agency of the Harbours and Fishing Facilities) the Kneiss Islands increasing, lack of local authorities One of the 2 main Harbour presents inside the protected area of Skhira Port Lack of maintenance APIP (Agency of the Harbours and Fishing Facilities) the Kneiss Islands OMMP (Office of The Merchant Navy and the Skhira oil Terminal Terminal for Oil Export Ports), STIR (Tunisian Company of Refining Industries), ANPE, TRAPSA, Min of Finance, Min... Skhira phosphate industries... Minimal Phosphate pollution Ministry of Industry, ANPE, GCT (Tunisian... Purification facilities for clams Rasyounga Pollution deriving from the purification wastewater. APAL, DGSV, CRDA, UTICA The mirador on the main island is destroyed, while the one Mirador for bird watching Repairing in process Local NGOs present in the coastal area is still functional Better development of the infrastructures presents Rest areas Areas used both from tourists and local population DGF, ACG (local NGO) inside the rest areas The one connected to the rest area is damage, while the one Overused due to a low number of these bridges DGF, ACG (local NGO), APNES (local NGO - original Pedestrian bridge (passerel) present on the main island is in better condition. (used non only by the woman of the island but... builder in the 2005) Cultural and Historical Remains of the Monastery of... Ruins Archaeological area Urban Areas Lack of urban development plan Ghraiba municipality Identify the most important management Identify the most important stakeholders (e.g. Identify the main sectors of economic activities (e.g. issues (e.g. ecological problems/threats related institutional management, data provider, Economic activities agriculture; livestock; industry; fisheries; aquaculture; to the given economic activity) and try to economic actor) and try to associate them with energy production; transport; tourism). associate them with the related “biophysical... the related “biophysical component” by...

ACG UTAP Fisheries CRDA DGPA Ministry of Agriculture

Illegal fishing activities ACG Most of the fishermen are local, resident in the area, sometimes Illegal methods / techniques UTAP Coastal fishing (from April to August) people from other areas (Chebba e.g.) Overexploitation generated by increase of the CRDA Target species: Lisa orata number of boats. DGPA Invasive species Ministry of Agriculture

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Item Description Key management issues Key stakeholders Illegal fishing activities Illegal methods / techniques ACG Overexploitation generated by increase of the UTAP Shore fishing (Clam and Mainly women are involved (clam harvesting) number of boats. CRDA Annelids harvesting) Invasive species DGPA For Annelids there is no regulation, so all the Ministry of Agriculture harvesting is illegal.... ACG UTAP Aquaculture (Oyster) Planned but not existing yet. Until now it is only a project CRDA DGPA Ministry of Agriculture Illegal fishing activities ACG Most of the fishermen are local, resident in the area, sometimes Illegal methods / techniques UTAP Purse seine fishing (in spring and summer) people from other areas (Gabes e.g.) Overexploitation generated by increase of the CRDA Target species: Bonit number of boats. DGPA Invasive species Ministry of Agriculture

70% of the farmers are men. The farms are diversified (all the Lack of natural grazing space subcomponents are present). Lack of work force, workers migrate from Ministry of Agriculture Agriculture Family activity. agriculture to fishing activities. CRA Hchichina Available data: the assessment of agriculture activities is based Waters has high levels of salinity. on a high rate of approximation

Extraction rate of olive oil over 30% (as maximum rate; good Ministry of Agriculture Olive groves quality). CRA Hchichina Ministry of Agriculture Almond orchards CRA Hchichina Ministry of Agriculture Raisin CRA Hchichina Livestock Sheep farming Chicken farming Honey production Family Activity

ANPE Ministry of Environment Industrial activities ABNES (NGOs) APAL Ministry of Economy

ANPE Atmospheric pollution (it affects a larger area than Ministry of Environment Tunisian Chemical Group Only one unit the only Kneiss) ABNES (NGOs) Phosphogypsum pollution APAL Ministry of Economy ISP subscriber: Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer Print Date: 17/05/2021 Page 6 of 7 Application case: EB-ICZM in Kneiss Islands Nature Reserve (Tunisia) Report type: Thematic Scoping

Item Description Key management issues Key stakeholders ANPE Only one unit Ministry of Environment Textile manufacturing When clam harvesting season is closed (between May and ABNES (NGOs) October), women work in this factory APAL Ministry of Economy ANPE Ministry of Environment Petroleum Transport Company Ballast water waste ABNES (NGOs) (TRAPSA) APAL Ministry of Economy

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