The program for the prevention, early detection and treatment of marine pollution incidents, which is being implemented for the first time by the Municipality of Paphos, has now been put on track. In this context and based on the decisions taken, the daily sea patrols began on the coastal front of the Municipalities of Paphos and Ierokipia, with properly manned boats and specialized personnel with the aim of detecting any form of pollution in time.
The patrols are carried out daily, seven days a week, in morning and afternoon shifts, both in the area near the bathing zones and in the open sea, as part of the continuous effort to protect and upgrade the coastal and marine environment. This is the first time that an organized program for the prevention, early detection and treatment of marine pollution incidents has been implemented in Paphos.
For this purpose, a contract has been signed with a specialized Contractor, who will carry out these maritime patrols for a period of four months. Particular emphasis is placed on the detection and immediate treatment of petroleum products, solid waste, impurities, sewage and other polluting substances. In the event of an incident, the Contractor will immediately take the necessary mitigation and remediation actions, using specialized anti-pollution equipment and waste collection means.
At the same time, there will be continuous information and coordination with the competent services, while for each incident a relevant record and documentation will be kept, in order to ensure effective monitoring of the situation.
The total value of the contract amounts to €50,000 with the funding coming from the Cyprus Ports Authority and the Municipalities of Paphos and Ierokipia.
With the implementation of the program, the Municipality of Paphos seeks to substantially enhance the protection of bathing areas and the wider marine ecosystem, to limit the response time to potential pollution incidents and to contribute to the maintenance of the seas and coasts of the area at a high level of cleanliness and environmental quality.
The protection of the marine environment is an important priority for the Municipality of Paphos, both for the quality of life of the citizens and for the safety of the thousands of residents and visitors who use the beaches of the area every day, a relevant announcement states.
