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The Deputy Ministry of Shipping understands the major issue concerning the surveillance and protection of the marine environment, which requires a targeted approach and coordinated action. Certainly, jumping to conclusions and attempting to assign blame by a specific responsible body will not solve the problem. On the contrary, they will hamper the coordination required to deal effectively with any pollution phenomena.
It is obvious that pollution phenomena do not result from a single factor, since land-based activities, atmospheric pollutants, marine mining and unintentional or deliberate discharges contribute to marine pollution much more than shipping activity, without this of course implying that the sources of pollution do not vary from region to region.
According to United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) data, land-based pollution accounts for about 75% of all marine pollution.
Recognising the dimensions of this serious issue and studying the problem as a whole, the Ministry of State for Maritime Affairs has taken the following actions:
1) For the first time, it has taken the initiative to set up a committee, by decision of the Council of Ministers, which it is coordinating, with the participation of all relevant bodies (Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, Ministry of Tourism, Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Union of Cyprus Municipalities, Cyprus Ports Authority, Port and Maritime Police, Environment Department, Air Operations Unit), thus addressing the chronic problem of fragmentation of responsibilities, in order to effectively prevent, deter and suppress any pollution phenomena. The Commission has already mapped the responsibilities and powers of the different services, as well as the possibilities for effective supervision. In addition, it has already collected historical data from recent pollution incidents in order to gain an understanding of common sources of pollution.
2) Particular emphasis was placed on Limassol Bay, by holding a special meeting convened by the Ministry of State on 07/08/2024 with the participation of relevant stakeholders, including the Limassol Municipality and the VSS-EPE/VTS consortium (contractor company executing the Limassol Municipality's bid for marine pollution monitoring and response), where it was agreed unanimously, immediate actions for taking specific prevention measures, but also for identifying the sources of pollution, which will be taken during the current summer period.
Specifically, the following measures, among others, were decided. [*]To carry out an inspection campaign of the Limassol seafront by inspectors of the Ministry of Shipping and the Limassol Municipality. [*]The placement of booms by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research at specific points. [*]To establish additional parameters on the basis of which laboratory analyses will be carried out to ascertain the nature of any pollution. [*]To request the Provincial Self-Government Organisation (EOA) to send the Commission a map showing the pipelines discharging into the sea from the land in Limassol Bay. [/LIST]
For the last two weeks, activities concerning the inspection campaign of the Limassol seafront and patrols in the sea have been ongoing, without any pollution phenomena being detected so far, with the exception of some isolated foam phenomena, which are not necessarily pollution. In addition, a boom has been placed at a high-risk point and further points are under consideration. Also, the Ministry of Shipping has intensified inspections of coastal vessels.
3) The provisions of the existing Law & Regulations on Fast Vessels, which potentially constitute a potential source of pollution, have been in force for 32 years. The Ministry of State proceeded to modernize the legislative framework and prepared new legislation ("The Law on Recreational Boating in the Republic 2024" and draft Regulations entitled "The Regulations on Recreational Boating in the Republic 2024") which were approved by the Council of Ministers on 24/04/2024 and submitted to the House of Representatives on 20/06/2024. This legislative framework, inter alia, extends the scope of the law to all yachts up to 24 meters in length, strengthens the supervisory powers of the competent authority and tightens the penalties, including the possibility of out-of-court regulation of offences.
4) The Ministry of Shipping cooperates with scientific bodies and is in the process of using specific technological means, both for the prevention and early detection and for the response to pollution incidents.
4) The Ministry of Shipping cooperates with scientific bodies and is in the process of using specific technological means, both for the prevention and early detection and for the response to pollution incidents.
Based on the holistic approach and the seriousness required by the circumstances, the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, in cooperation with the relevant bodies, is proceeding with the implementation of its structured strategy in order to eliminate both the unpleasant phenomena and their causes.
Incidents of marine pollution can be reported anonymously to the 24-hour service of the Ministry of Shipping at 25848114 and 25848277.
(PS/AS)
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