Environmental Expert Mehdi Abdelli Confirms Tunisia Among Most Affected Countries by Marine Erosion
Environmental expert Mehdi Abdelli has confirmed that Tunisia is among the countries most affected by marine erosion worldwide, according to the World Bank's 2023 report. He specifies that 260 km of the Tunisian coastline, out of a total of 670 km, are already impacted by this concerning phenomenon.
Quality of Marine Waters
In June 2025, the Ministry of Health monitored the quality of marine waters at 539 sites. The results indicate that only 29% of the tested points have excellent quality, while 71% do not fully or partially comply with current international standards.
Causes of Erosion
According to Amel Jerad, a climate change expert, this erosion is essentially due to:
- Rising sea levels
- Uncontrolled urbanization
- Pollution
Actions to Curb Erosion
To address this challenge, Mehdi Belhaj, in charge of management at the Coastal Protection Agency, indicated that restoration operations are underway, including the replenishment of beaches with sand. The Agency has intervened on the Kantaoui beach (Sousse governorate) to restore approximately 3 km of coastline. However, this process is complex, as the search for sand compatible with local characteristics is lengthy and meticulous.
Need for Complementary Solutions
Nevertheless, Mehdi Abdelli believes that these measures are insufficient and advocates for the implementation of complementary solutions, such as:
- Building seawalls
- Installing wooden barriers to stabilize the dunes and prevent the continuous degradation of the coastline.
