Filenews 4 March 2021 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Under strict conditions and restrictions, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (TTATHE) accepts the creation of organized beaches in two protected areas and breeding habitats of the sea turtle Caretta Caretta. These are the beaches of Argakas and Gilia, for which the Central Committee of Beaches is now called upon to approve plans for use.
The TTATHE, as a material competent authority, finally accepts the creation of organized beaches in the communities of Argakas and Galia, under specific terms and conditions regarding beds, water sports, wooden docks and the cleaning of the beach. Among other things, it proposes conditions for the protection of sand dunes, the minimisation of nuisance, the prohibition of the use of motorised water sports, as well as a number of conditions so as not to affect any nesting activity by sea turtles, as well as the protection of spawning with all that this entails.
By letter from TTATHE, dated 19/2/2021, to the Paphos Provincial Administration and notification to the two other co-competent departments, Environment and Forests, regarding the proposed Plans for the Use of The Beaches of Argakas and Gilia, states that the two proposed organized beaches are located within the area of the Natura 2000 Special Conservation Zone (EZD) "Polis – Gilia Area", coded "CY4000001". The protected area has joined the network due to the existence of important types of natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora, which are in need of protection and are species of Community interest, such as sea turtles. This area is, inter alia, an important breeding habitat of the Caretta Caretta sea turtle, which is a priority species, i.e. a species of wildlife at risk of extinction at Community level and for the conservation of which the European Union bears particular responsibility, due to the limited size of the part of its natural distribution within the territory of its Member States.
In relation to the proposed plans for the creation of organized beaches in the communities of Argakas and Galia, TTATHE sets the following conditions:
• During the period May - September of each year, all sun beds placed on the sandy beach should be moved from the beach from sunset until sunrise, so as not to interfere with any nesting activity by sea turtles.
• If nests are found, beds should not be placed on top of them, but the relevant protective cage should be placed. The bed manager should be trained by the TTATHE, so that he can identify possible nests and take the necessary measures to protect them. It is noted that sea turtles and their eggs in Cyprus have been protected since 1971, under the Fisheries Law and Regulations of 1990.
• Motor water sports (e.g. jet-ski, water-ski, etc.) should not be allowed.
• In case of construction of corridors, the views of the competent departments, Environment and Forests should be taken, so as not to affect the sand dunes.
• The cleaning of the beach should be done by hand and not by mechanical means and under no circumstances should the beach be "ploughed".
• During the laying period (1 May – 30 September) there should be no lighting at night, except as strictly necessary. The lighting should not be towards the beach/sea and take into account the provisions listed in the Management Plan of the area "Polis-Gilia".
In addition, it notes, the views of the Department of the Environment, as the material authority responsible for the protection and management of Natura 2000 areas, should be taken for all of the above.
It should be noted that, initially, the TTATHE, by letter dated 19 December 2004, was sent to the Commission. 12/2/2020, was negative for the location of organized beaches within the protected area "Polis – Gilia" and specifically asked for the proposed organized beach of the community of Gilia to move its location about 500 meters further north.
The Environment Department had the same negative position in a letter dated 2013. 22/4/2020, essentially adopting the position of THE, as the department responsible for the protection and management of marine species and habitats.
Request for kiosk - snack bar for bathers in Argaka
The Paphos District Administration, on 17/2/2021, notified the Central Beach Committee of the documents in relation to the Local Committee of Argakas Beaches and the request for the creation of an organized beach. In the minutes of the Local Committee of Argakas Beaches, dated 16/6/2020, it is reported that, by decree of 2018, the area in front of the Santa Barbara restaurant in Argaka has been declared as a bathing beach. The proposed plan for the creation of organized use of the beach includes the placement of beds and umbrellas, a disabled corridor, as well as a snack bar. The Paphos Provincial Administration notes that the creation of an organized beach is proposed in the Management Plan of the Special Conservation Zone (EZD) Area of Polis – Gilia, in order to reduce the pressure on the spawning beaches and sand dune habitats of the area and the creation of an organized beach is linked to the management of the protected area.
The Community Council of Argakas will not carry out any construction work until the completion of the lease process and the final approval of the plan for the use of beach by the Central Committee of Beaches, as well as the securing of all planning and building permits.
Request for lease of forest land from Yalia
The Community Council of Yalia, by letter on 16/12/2020, to the Central Committee of Beaches, informs of the procedures it has carried out, with a view to the creation of an organized beach of bathers in the community for 2021. The site proposed to be used as an organized beach belongs to the Department of Forests and a request has already been sent for the lease of the site. It is noted that the TTATHE responded to the beginning in the negative, but later came back with a new letter setting important conditions. The Paphos District Administration was negative until the Department of Forestry secured the license, while the Department of Forests points out that it will proceed with the lease of the site if the plan for the use of a beach is approved by the Central Committee of Beaches. The local beach committee of Gilias will ask the Department of Forests to proceed with the lease of the site before the approval of the beach use plan.
No specific ecological assessment
It is noted that the two plans to use a beach for the provision of organized bathing services in the communities of Argakas and Gilia have not undergone a specific ecological assessment / appropriate impact assessment on the objects of designation and conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 area "Polis – Gilia Region", as provided for by Article 16 of the Nature Protection and Management and Wildlife Laws of 2003 to 2015, and Article 6(3) of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.
