Filenews 3 June 2022 - by Angelos Nikolaou
An operation to remove nets from premises (residences and farms) in the area of the free Famagusta District and specifically in the administrative boundaries of the Municipality of Ayia Napa took place the day before yesterday Wednesday (1/6/2022). The operation was attended by officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, the Department of Environment and veterinary services of the same ministry, the Ayia Napa Police Station and staff of the Municipality of Ayia Napa.
During the operation, a very large volume of nets from various premises were removed, the owners were informed, and new points were identified where nets were located. The operation will be repeated in the coming days in the hope that the phenomenon of unscrupulous people fencing houses and farms with fishing nets in order to prevent snakes from entering their properties will end.
It is noted that in recent times, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has accepted complaints about the detection of a large number of fishing nets in various areas of the municipalities and communities of the free Famagusta District, which are placed for protection against snakes in which there were trapped various species of dead reptiles, birds and mammals.
All species were trapped in such a way in the nets so that they could not escape or be released and died in an excruciating way. Similar incidents are observed in other areas of free Cyprus, something that should be of concern to all the competent authorities.
The use of nets is a method that is widely used, unfortunately, in many areas of Cyprus for protection from vipers but as a result dozens of other species are trapped in them, such as birds, mammals, reptiles, etc.
For this reason, their use is prohibited by the national legislation Law 153(I)/2003, which provides for the Protection and Conservation of Nature and Wildlife. According to Article 21 of the said Law, any form of deliberate capture, killing or harassment of species of fauna of Community interest is prohibited in their natural range. The penalties that can be imposed can reach €17,000 fine, 3 years imprisonment or both sentences combined.
In addition to the above, it is noted that the placement of nets in which species of fauna are killed, is also an act that is captured by foreign visitors, who transfer this image to their countries, thus damaging the tourist product of our island, especially when this phenomenon prevails in tourist areas, such as the area of free Famagusta.
Despite the warning they did not remove the nets
Recently the Committee Against The Slaughter of Birds (CABS) called for the immediate removal of nets for reptiles and zero tolerance for those who break the law. The activists provided specific information about locations where illegal networks are being placed in the relevant Services where dead protected wildlife were found. Despite this fact and despite the fact that they were informed earlier about the campaign of the competent authorities, few of the owners removed the nets on their own before the mobilization of the competent authorities.
