20 May has been designated as SPAMI (Special Protection Areas of Mediterranean Importance) Day, a day where SPAMIs take centre stage as a celebration for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea while expanding efforts to conserve marine life.
SPAMI sites, aim to protect and conserve habitats that are significantly reduced or at risk of disappearing, as well as those considered critical for the survival, reproduction and recovery of endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna.
In Cyprus, the coastal area of Akamas is an important nesting area for the Green Turtle (Cheloniamydas) and the Caretta Turtle (Carettacaretta). Cyprus is the only country in the European Union where the Green Turtle, the rarest of the two species, gives birth.
The area is included in the NATURA 2000 network (Akamas Peninsula) which was established under the European Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) for the conservation of natural habitats and species of wild flora and fauna of high ecological interest, which are of the highest priority for protection and conservation in the European Union. Sea turtles by this European Directive as priority species, as well as by the Law on the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife of 2003 (N. 153(I)/2003).
The most notable nesting beaches on the Akamas Peninsula are the beach of Toxeftra (about 1km in length), and the beaches of Lara (south, central and north - about 3km in length) which are located in the south-western part of the Akamas Peninsula.
These are also included in the protected area of Lara - Toxeftra, which has a coastline of 10km and includes a 90m wide beach and a sea area extending from the coast to a depth of 20m. This area was designated a protected area in 1989 under the Fisheries Law and Regulations (Decree 273/90) for the protection of the breeding habitats of the two species of sea turtles. It should be noted that about 50% of the green turtle nests are found every year in the two bays in question.
The Lara - Toxeftra area was included in 2013 in the List of Specially Protected Areas of Mediterranean Importance, known as "SPAMIs", under the Protocol on Specially Protected Areas and Biodiversity of the Mediterranean, since it is recognized as contributing significantly to the conservation status of these two species at Mediterranean level.
As part of the activities carried out at Mediterranean level on the occasion of the celebration of the SPAMI areas, a clean-up of the Lara - Toxeftra area is planned today by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFA) in cooperation with the Youth Association of Polis Chrysochous Region and the Cyprus Foundation for the Protection of the Environment Terra Cypria.
On this occasion, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research informs the public that it will also participate in the "THALASSA 2022" Festival of the Ministry of Shipping, on Saturday, 21 May at 17:00, with a presentation on the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) of Cyprus, including the SPAMI area, as well as on protected species, specifically on sea turtles and the Mediterranean seal.
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