Filenews 28 July 2025 - by Natasa Christoforou
While the state has invested millions of euros to create Marine Protected Areas, it continues to be unable to take substantial measures to protect them from illegal fishing. In addition to the risk of their destruction, as warned by the Cyprus Diving Centers Association (CCK), if no substantial measures are taken, there will be a serious blow to the economic viability of the investments made by individuals, tourism businesses and the state itself.
Indicative examples are the Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Larnaca Bay, where the Elpida, LEF1 and Lamboussa II shipwrecks are located, as well as the area where the famous Zenobia shipwreck is located, which attracts the interest of thousands of divers every year. Both the Larnaca Tourism Development Company and the diving schools have been warning for years about the effects of illegal fishing in the two areas, calling for an increase in patrols. The issue was reopened last month, through a letter to the Minister of Agriculture, the Association of Diving Centers that spoke of "numerous testimonies from our members and visitors, which prove the presence of fishing vessels or fishermen in areas where fishing is expressly prohibited'. In the letter, they requested, among other things, the intensification of controls and policing of the area and the imposition of fines on offenders.
The owner of Zenobia and the Zenobia diving school, Andreas Panagiotou, complained to "F" that the fishermen approaching the wreck are visible from the shore. "Diving in Zenobia takes place from 9.00 in the morning to 2.00 in the afternoon. After this time, any boat that is there goes for another purpose, which is usually related to illegal fishing. They are specific people who fish illegally there and can also be seen from Finikoudes. We see them every night and until 6 – 7 in the morning. It's as if they don't want to solve the problem. We have made complaints to the Coast Guard in the past and they tell us that they do not locate the fish or that they cannot find the spearguns".
For example, if you have diabetes mellitus, your doctor may prescribe a medication that is prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. 15 years and the Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Company (ETAP). "Both the public and private sectors are investing in these areas. These actions cannot be torpedoed by phenomena such as illegal fishing, for which steps have been made for years, since the patrols have proven to be unsatisfactory", pointed out the director of ETAP, Nana Asmeni, adding that the Department of Fisheries, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and the local authorities have been investing for years to enrich the Marine Protected Areas and enhance diving interest. "In Larnaca, there is a gradual development of diving areas, given that we have Zenobia, which is considered one of the most important wreck diving sites in the world. The other area (Larnaca Diving Centre) was also created, with three new shipwrecks, in order to enrich the city's diving portfolio. The area is constantly enriched after amphorae were laid, while we proceeded with artistic interventions so that it is constantly increasing interest among divers. Last year we had the exhibition of Michalis Pantelidis, which will be repeated this year. Some panels will be placed in the shipwrecks, which will showcase the maritime wealth of Larnaca. Our goal is to establish the underwater photography exhibition on shipwrecks. Diving schools are also investing in the area, which helps to attract diving tourism," he added, reiterating the need to take measures.
The measures are in place
Both diving schools and other bodies have long called for the use of technology in order to achieve surveillance of the ICPs around the clock. So far, however, no such measure has been implemented and what has been decided as a result is considered insufficient. The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFF) refers, however, to the decision to use artificial intelligence in a few months.
On the occasion of the complaints and the letter of the Cyprus Diving Centers Association to the Minister of Agriculture, "F" contacted the SFRS asking to be informed if it was decided to take additional measures. Through a lengthy response, the IMF maintains, initially, that it has not received any official complaint or other information/data from the SCCC. He notes, however, that from time to time he received information about the Oroklini Police Station and that "within the framework of his available resources, he responds, within the framework of what is possible both inside and outside working hours, in cooperation – where necessary – with the Port and Maritime Police". The IMF notes that "the control of fishing activities faces a serious problem of understaffing, which affects both inspectors and support staff".
For a definitive solution to the problem, as the IMF adds, it proceeded with a call for a specific study for the restructuring of the Fisheries Control sector and as an immediate and intermediate aid measure, proceeded from 2022 with the recruitment of five fixed-term inspectors, five park rangers for the surveillance of some MPAs of the N2000 network (Cape Greco, Lara, Polis-Gialia) and eight people, with a contract for the purchase of services, for the supervision of fishing activities.
He also argued that the Larnaca PPPs are "monitored to a significant extent". It is noted that according to the data cited in our newspaper, as of 2023, an average of about 300 patrols are carried out per year at the Larnaca Police Station. Of these, only one complaint emerged two years ago about illegal snorkeling near the Eppida shipwreck.
Moreover, after the letter to the Minister of Agriculture, and specifically on July 14, a meeting was held between the SCCC and the IMF, which requested that the complaints be transferred to it. "The IMF informed that it is also studying the possibility of using technological solutions and in this direction has completed a study on the use of artificial intelligence in the surveillance of PPE. However, a cost-benefit assessment, operation, human resources is required for an immediate response, as well as an examination of the issue with the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, possibly an amendment of the relevant legislation – issues that are expected to be examined in the coming months."
On the instructions of the Minister of Agriculture, it was also decided to activate new measures to combat illegal fishing, which include public information and awareness campaigns, the exploration of strengthening surveillance mechanisms in the MPAs with additional individuals, the strengthening of cooperation with stakeholders, as well as targeted meetings with the organized groups. "Within the framework of this cooperation, the possibility that the FTHF has, on the basis of the Fisheries Law, to authorize them as inspectors will be investigated," it is noted.
