Abstract
Background:
Seawater quality is critical to maintaining ecological balance and ensuring the safety of fish consumed by people. However, untreated wastewater discharge along the Tripoli coast threatens marine animals and public health, especially in fishing areas.

Aim:
This study aims to evaluate seawater quality by analyzing microbial, physical, and chemical parameters across three selected locations along the Tripoli coastline characterized by intensive fishing activities, in order to assess the potential impacts of water quality on the health of marine animals and the safety of consumers.

Methods:
Seawater samples were collected from three various fishing locations along the Tripoli coastline. Using a composite sampling method, the collected seawater samples were subjected to laboratory analysis to assess both physical and chemical properties, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate (NO3) and phosphate (PO4) were measured following standard protocols (e.g., APHA). Microbiological analyses focused on total aerobic microbial count (TAMC), total coliform bacteria, and fecal coliform Escherichia coli (E. coli) using standard laboratory methods. The findings were compared with national and international permissible limits to assess seawater quality.

Results:
The results of physico-chemical analysis of seawater from all selected locations met permissible limits, except for the phosphate (PO4) concentration, which exceeded the acceptable values in some regions. Microbiological analysis showed the E. coli and total coliform were within permissible limits, whereas TAMC values exceeded standard thresholds in certain regions, indicating microbial contamination.

Conclusion:
The present study reveals that the quality of seawater in regions with high fishing activity along the Tripoli coastline shows signs of chemical and microbial contamination, which may impact marine animals’ health and pose threats to consumers. These results highlight the need for ongoing monitoring and effective wastewater management to ensure safe fishing practices and protection of consumers' health.

Key words: Physio-chemical analysis; Composite sampling; Fishing points; Seawater quality; Tripoli coastline.