-
.
- Русский
The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment informs the public that during the summer season in the waters of Cyprus and our beaches we are lucky enough to host 2 of the 7 species of sea turtles in the world. These two species are the Caretta caretta (Caretta caretta) and the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Both are spectacular and iconic species and their presence in our areas is part of their life cycle, both for feeding, mating and nesting.
Although sea turtles are found in relatively large numbers in our coastal waters during the summer period and there is an opportunity to observe them, this also implies a particular responsibility to avoid disturbing and causing stress to these animals, as well as actions that are not consistent with their natural behaviour.
Therefore, we request that the public comply with the relevant notices, suggestions and advice issued from time to time by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research and the provisions of the relevant legislation, in order to ensure both the conservation of the marine environment and to avoid disturbing and causing disturbance and stress to the host organisms and to avoid interfering with their natural behaviour.
In view of the recent related complaints about incidents of harassment of sea turtles in coastal tourist areas, we inform the public, and in particular the operators/owners of coastal tourist boats and users of watersports and speedboats, that according to the Laws on the Protection and Management of Nature and Wildlife of 2003 to 2015, the intentional harassment of fauna species of community interest is prohibited.
It is clarified that harassment includes offering/providing food to entice sea turtles to take photographs or to swim in close proximity to them.
A person who commits a violation of the provisions of the Act is guilty of an offence and, on conviction, is liable to imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to €17,000 or both.
In addition, with regard to sea turtles, we ask that the public take into account and apply the following:
- Observe them from a distance.
- They must not be harassed and/or touched. This may potentially disturb them, creating anxiety and causing them to react.
- They should not be fed. This affects the animals' natural behaviour and also potentially has a negative effect on their natural feeding instinct.
- Let the animals decide how close they want to be. If you see signs of disturbance (such as sudden movements), then you should stop your approach and/or move away.
- When photographing, limit the number of photos of individual animals and/or organisms especially when using flash.
As a reminder, if an injured sea turtle is spotted, the public may contact the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research at the landline numbers shown below within normal public hours. Note that outside of business hours, the public may contact the departmental telephone numbers listed below:
|
CITY |
[TD]
Fixed Telephone
Weekdays
(07:30 -15:00)
[/TD] [/TD] [TD]Service Telephone
(16:00 - 20:00 Daily)
(06:00-20:00 Saturday/Sunday)
[/TD][TR] [TD]
Nicosia
[/TD] [TD]22 807 853
[/TD] [TD]N/A
[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Larnaca
[/TD] [TD]24 304 294 / 24 422 888
[/TD] [TD]99 48 96 45
[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Famagusta
[/TD] [TD]23 834 172
[/TD] [TD]99 48 96 43
[/TD] [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Limassol
[/TD] [TR] [TD]Limassol
[/TD] [TD]25 306 800 / 25 306 804
[/TD] [TD]99 48 96 51
[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Paphos
[/TD] [TD]26 821 680
[/TD] [TD]99 48 96 42
[/TD] [/TD] [/TR]
(NΓ/ΣΧ)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
