Tunisian scientists warn of degradation of Posidonia, the lungs of the Mediterranean Sea
May 4, 2022, 8:42 am

Tunisian scientists warn of degradation of Posidonia, the lungs of the Mediterranean Sea

Tunisia is popular for its beaches, one of the great assets of tourism to the North African country (Photo: Pixabay)

The Africanews reported, Tunisian specialists are sending an alarm on the damaging effects of the reduction of posidonia in the Mediterranean Sea.

Over the years scientists have proven the seagrass meadows have a strong carbon absorbtion capacity. And according to this marine ecologist in Tunis, posidonia could also produce up to 20 litres of oxygen per square meter.

Rym Zakhama-Sraieb, researcher at the University of Tunis explains: " Forests store carbon on land, and this is called green carbon. Underwater, it is referred to as blue carbon. So these ecosystems and especially posidonia, capture large quantities of carbon over thousands of years, what's more, if we compare them with land ecosystems, there are much more effective in terms of carbon storage and sequestration."

44% of Tunis's beaches at risk of erosion

The North African country is popular for its beaches, one of the great assets of tourism. However, over 40% of these dream spots are at risk since the seagrass species also helps to break the waves and prevent from erosion.

https://www.africanews.com/2022/05/03/tunisian-scientists-alert-on-the-degradation-of-posidonia-the-lungs-of-the-mediterranean-s/

Yassine Ramzi Sghaier, a marine biologist, said: "The existence of all Tunisian economic activities relies on posidonia. Fishing is closely linked to the state of the meadows.

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Tunisian's coasts and its regression which can directly affect the tourism sector, is linked to the existence and presence of these posidonia. And if tomorrow there are no more banks, we run the risk of having more serious economic problems than those we are currently seeing."

The fishing sector also affected

The fishing industry which represents 13% of the country's GDP is also at risk as these underwater forests provide shelter for marine species.

Mazen Magdiche goes out fishing near Monastir, in the central coast of Tunisia and over the years he has seen the sea change : "The places where we used to fish, 100 metres away from the coast are different, especially when you get closer to the shore, where there used to be posidonia, that is now gone."

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The 45 year-old fisherman says these conditions are making it hard for him to continue his work, "The sea has been extremely affected and we are now struggling to find enough fish to make a living".

A study conducted 12 years ago in the Gulf of Gabes on Tunisia's east coast, found the massive degradation and disappearance of the seagrass bed was essentially due to illegal fishing and pollution.

Source: africanews

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.