Topic: 2025-Regulating Invasive Species
Country: Libya
Delegate Name: Ellora Natarajan
Invasive species have long tormented ecosystems, forming a large threat to biodiversity and humans. It is defined as, “species which become established in a natural or semi-natural ecosystem or habitat, are an agent of change, and threaten native biological diversity”. According to the Wiley Online Library, 29 species of invasive aliens in Libya have been found. This number is far too high, as it poses a serious risk to native plants and animals, potentially causing extinction and extensive damage to the ecosystem and biodiversity as a whole. Furthermore, the number of marine alien species in Libyan waters has increased from 63 to 73 – a shocking statistic. Some of the highest percentages were fishes (32.88%), followed by macrophytes (21.92%), mollusks (16.44%), crustaceans (13.70%), and parasites (9.59%).
However, some alien fishes have become commercially valuable in Libya. The biological invasion in the Libyan coasts has been an attempt to fill the gap of knowledge on the alien species in the southeastern Mediterranean coast.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Libya is aiming to eliminate the Red Palm Weevil, a small beetle-like insect that has infested parts of Libya. The Red Palm Weevil is one of the world’s major invasive pest species and is the single most destructive pest of some 40 palm species worldwide. The nation is hoping to reduce its devastating effects on the environment and food security, and socio-economic impact on rural communities.
To do this, the nation will focus on governance through supporting policies and regulations for sustainable management of the Red Palm Weevil, including phytosanitary and quarantine management practices for fast eradication of RPW and rational use of pesticides.
Sources:
“Invasive Alien Species in Libya” by Mohammed H. Mahklouf and Esmail A. Shakman (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781119607045.ch6#:~:text=A%20total%20of%2029%20species,with%20one%20 spe%2D%20cos%20 each)
“Libya joins the race to eradicate Red Palm Weevil” (https://www.fao.org/neareast/news/details/Libya-joins-the-race-to-eradicate-Red-Palm-Weevil/ar)
