Filenews 5 August 2023 - by Natasha Christoforou
Larnaka, which holds the reigns of diving tourism, is betting on its seabed, mainly because of Zenobia, which is among the five best wreck diving sites worldwide.
Spearheaded by the Mediterranean Titanic, which attracts around 60,10 divers annually, offers millions to the national economy, the city's institutions have been gradually enriching the marine protected area of Larnaka in recent years. The aim is to enhance marine life and increase diving interest from divers of various levels.
So there are currently seven other important diving sites in the city and province, three of which involve shipwrecks. These are the Elpida shipwreck that sank in 2019 in the marine area of Oroklini to create the first artificial reef of Larnaka, the LEF1 shipwreck that sank during the same period, the Alexandria shipwreck located near Zenobia, the Doris reefs in the marine protected area of Oroklini, Alia in Mackenzie and Watchtower in Xylofagou, as well as the underwater sea caves in Cape Pyla. In most of the diving spots of Larnaka, one can also dive three-dimensionally through the website of the Larnaka Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAP).
The next step, as ETAP's officer, Nana Asmeni Pavlou, told "F", is the further enrichment of the marine protected area at the Larnaka artificial reef, in cooperation with the Department of Fisheries and the support of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
The enhancement of marine life in the area actually began four years ago with the sinking of Elpida and LEF1. Last year, amphorae were placed near LEF1, an action that had beneficial effects as the number of fish in the area increased. This year the same will be repeated in the hold of the Elpida shipwreck, which attracts hundreds of divers.
«Volunteer divers from Larnaka schools will place around October 200 amphorae in the hold of the ship. The amphorae will be of various sizes and reach up to 75 cm in height. The Larnaka Tourism Board undertook to purchase the amphorae, based on the strict specifications set by the Department of Fisheries, so as not to affect the marine environment. The amphorae will have no glazes, paint, erasers or adhesives."
The 63-meter-long ship Elpida, built in Germany in 1965 and was an active cargo vessel, registered in Greece. The ship was purchased by ETAP and was deployed in the area at a depth of 28 meters. "It has a large hold and with the Diving Tourism Committee we have been wondering for a long time, how to enrich it in order to create conditions for the increase of marine life. The seas of Larnaka are sandy and conditions must be created for fish to find shelter. It was judged by marine experts that amphorae are the most suitable material to be placed at this point."
The big threat to diving tourism
The efforts made to enhance diving interest, however, are torpedoed by the inability to combat illegal fishing by skilful people, who do not hesitate to use even gunpowder in protected reefs. The phenomenon has been exacerbated in recent years, due to the lack of fish in the rest areas of Larnaka, with amateur fishermen targeting diving points. "This is a perennial problem for which the state has so far failed to find meaningful solutions. As ETAP, we have made many representations to the Ministries of Agriculture and Justice, but unfortunately it has not been possible to address the problem," Asmeni said.
He also added that since the time when the ships Elpida and Lef1 sank, marine life on the artificial reef of Larnaka has been significantly enhanced and the area attracts important species of fish, while sometimes turtles visit it. "If we didn't have illegal fishing, the results would have been much better," he said.
It is noted that in the past, ETAP had proposed that the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), which has an advanced coastal observation system in Larnaka, should also contribute to the work of the Port Police. He also called for the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research to be allowed to use surveillance cameras in protected areas, in which the state has invested large sums.
INTERVENTION
Pancyprian research to enhance diving tourism
Apart from Larnaka, diving interest in recent years has increased in other coastal towns. There are currently 70 diving sites all over Cyprus, while about 80 companies are involved in diving.
As the data shows, the main markets are Britain, Germany, Austria, the Nordic countries and Poland.
Currently, according to information from the Deputy Prime Minister. Research, undertaken by CMMI, is being prepared and will be ready in the first quarter of 2024. The survey, among other things, will analyze the current situation and make a comparison with destinations abroad. In addition, suggestions will be given on the actions that Cyprus should take for the further development of diving tourism.
