Republic of Cyprus Second Voluntary National Report - Sustainable development goals

98 NARRATIVE Cyprus is indissolubly linked to marine life, as an island-state, and it is affected by the adverse effects of the misuse of marine resources. It therefore seeks to enhance its efforts aimed at the protection and sustainability of the Mediterranean through cooperation with neighbouring countries, and by adhering to EU efforts. The national priorities and targets set for Cyprus are based on objectives set by EU legislation and regional and international conventions. In particular, Cyprus carries out continuous monitoring programmes on marine and oil pollution, the sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, harvesting, overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. In addition, it has declared 19% of its areas as protected, double the amount set by international conventions, in an effort to preserve and exhibit significant Natura sites, which are also very important tourist attractions, like the Lara -Toxeftra turtle site, the Cavo Greco bay and the Sea Caves in Peyia. ANALYSIS The data reconfirms Cyprus’ reputation as the country with the best beaches. In particular, Cyprus is 1 st among EU members with 99.1% of its bathing sites being characterised as having excellent water quality. Furthermore, 131 square km of the marine sites of Cyprus are designated under Natura2000. Finally, in Cyprus, there were 1,480 tonnes of catches in major fishing areas. GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES Marine Pollution • Cyprus carries out continuous monitoring programmes as part of various legislations such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Nitrates Directive and Integrated Monitoring and Assessment Programme (IMAP UNEP/MAP), to investigate and assess the state of marine environment and marine pollution, including marine debris and nutrient pollution in the marine environment, and estimate the in-situ pH in sea water samples. • The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan was prepared and approved in 2020. It emphasises on the protection of marine environment and establishments of MPAs, and the protection of fisheries resources. • The Government of Cyprus carries out annual monitoring programmes, as part of the Bathing Water Directive (BWD), resulting in the classification of bathing waters as excellent. • Cyprus implements various EU and international directives such as the Industrial Emission Directive, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Barcelona Convention, the Bern Convention, the Kyoto protocol, the Paris Agreement, the Montreal protocol, etc., and has also prepared the Cyprus Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan. Sustainable Management and Protection of Marine and Coastal Ecosystems • In an effort to achieve the Aichi Target 11 (i.e. declaring 10% of waters as areas under protection) Cyprus has designated marine areas under various protection regimes. These include six Natura 2000 areas, one Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI), namely the Lara -Toxeftra area, home to the kareta-kareta turtles, four Marine Protected Areas with fisheries restrictions, six Marine Protected Areas (MPAs, namely Cavo Greco, Kakoskali, Peyia Sea Caves and Mpania at Paphos), six areas with Artificial Reefs that are strictly fisheries no-take zones, one offshore Fisheries Restriction Area, and one additional offshore area which was proposed as a Natura 2000 area. • The percentage of the marine protected areas in Cyprus rose to 19% of its total marine area, a number almost double the Aichi Target. Harvesting, Overfishing, Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing • Cyprus controls and regulates fishing activities in accordance with the Common Fishery Policy and other regional and international conventions. • Under the EU Data Collection Framework Cyprus collects biological, environmental, technical, and socioeconomic data concerning the fisheries sector. • Each year a national control programme is executed, which involves the regular patrolling and inspection of all activities in its jurisdictional waters and territory as well as to vessels flying the Cyprus flag, from the fishing grounds up to the retail stage, making use of national and EU means for control. • The Operational Programme «Thalassa» 2014- 2020, funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), sets specific guidelines and strict rules so as to eliminate problems of overcapacity and overfishing, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. • Professional fishing licenses are granted to small-scale artisanal fishers, as well as access to the 12 nautical miles.