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🇹🇳 Tunisia /Culture & Society

Tunisia imposes strict penalties, including jail time, for beach violations

From La Presse · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Tunisia is implementing stricter penalties for illegal occupation and exploitation of its beaches, with potential jail time and hefty fines.
  • The Agency for the Protection and Development of the Coastline (APAL) has launched a hotline for citizens to report violations.
  • Authorities aim to ensure free and equal access to beaches for all citizens while preserving the coastline.

As Tunisia's summer season peaks, authorities are cracking down on illegal activities along its coastline. The Agency for the Protection and Development of the Coastline (APAL) has announced stricter enforcement measures against those who illegally occupy or exploit public beaches. Violators now face penalties that can include up to one year in prison and fines of up to 50,000 Tunisian dinars.

Tunisian legislation guarantees free, equal, and free use of the maritime public domain.

— Mehdi BelhadjDirector General of Administrative Affairs at APAL, explaining the legal framework for beach access.

To facilitate reporting, APAL has established a dedicated hotline, 1820, for citizens to report any instances of illegal occupation or exploitation of maritime public domain. Mehdi Belhadj, Director General of Administrative Affairs at APAL, emphasized that Tunisian law guarantees free, equal, and unrestricted use of the maritime public domain. He noted that establishments authorized to use parts of the beaches cannot occupy more than half of their width, ensuring the other half remains accessible to the public.

Belhadj further explained that APAL is coordinating closely with various institutions, including the Ministry of Interior, municipalities, and the Ministry of Tourism, to enhance controls. These collaborations aim to preserve the maritime public domain, guarantee public access to beaches, and ensure a safe and welcoming environment for beachgoers. The agency is also intensifying cleaning operations and repressive measures against incivilities and violations of coastal protection rules.

The other half must imperatively remain accessible to citizens to preserve everyone's right to free access to the coast.

— Mehdi BelhadjAPAL official clarifying the regulations on beach usage for authorized establishments.

The cost of beach cleaning operations amounts to approximately 3 million dinars annually, highlighting the importance of collective efforts to protect Tunisia's coastline during the summer season. APAL's intensified controls and sanctions are designed to uphold the principle of public access and preserve the natural beauty of the Tunisian coast.

Violators face fines ranging from 100 dinars to 50,000 dinars, as well as prison sentences from 16 days to one year.

— Mehdi BelhadjAPAL official detailing the range of sanctions for beach-related infractions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Presse in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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