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"Through the Cyprus Commitment, but also through the measures that will be implemented in the programme we are developing for marine pollution monitoring and the 'Adopt a Beach' programme, we are contributing towards a significant reduction of plastic pollution in our marine ecosystem, but also a better environment for all", said today the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Dr. Maria Panayiotou, in her intervention at the 9th "Our Ocean Conference" (OOC-9).
This International Conference, hosted by Greece from 15-17 April 2024, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre in Athens, aims to highlight the active contribution to the management of international challenges around the sustainability of the oceans and the strengthening of new transcendental concepts.
During the Conference, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, accompanied by officials from the Ministry's Environment Department, participated in discussions covering issues such as ocean security, the green transition in the shipping sector and marine pollution management.
During her intervention in a panel discussion on the issue of marine plastic pollution, which is considered a major issue for Cyprus as an island, Dr Panagiotou spoke about the current situation and the measures taken to manage the litter in Cyprus' marine waters.
In particular, she informed that Cyprus is a tourist destination with millions of visitors coming to the island for the excellent quality of its bathing waters. It is important to keep both the marine waters and the coasts clean. This, creates an ecosystem suitable for our iconic species, the Mediterranean Seal, the Green Turtle, as well as the Caretta Caretta.
Given the importance of reducing marine litter, the Minister said that a targeted action on marine litter has been included in Cyprus for its collection and management. In particular, she continued, the collection and recycling of mooring ropes from ports and marine litter is being implemented, with the participation of fishing trawlers in two fishing harbours in Cyprus and in three coastal areas.
Through a marine litter monitoring programme, he added, there is monitoring on beaches and on the seabed of the characteristics and quantity of litter, as well as of microplastics on beaches and the seabed.
This programme, in addition to the monitoring of litter in marine waters, also contributes to the monitoring of turtles, such as the protected species of sea turtle Caretta caretta, the impact caused and their mortality rates from marine litter, the Minister explained.
Our goal, the Minister stressed, is to ensure that the marine environment is in good condition with the amount of marine litter on beaches and the seabed minimised or, if possible, effectively eliminated.
He added that to address the problem of marine litter, the "Adopt a Beach" programme includes Cyprus' commitment to the protection of the marine environment through public awareness and participation in the cleaning of beaches and/or the seabed, especially children and young people, which contributes to measures and solutions for environmental and pollution issues.
We are committed, the Minister concluded her intervention by saying that "our Commitment together with other measures to be implemented will contribute towards a significant reduction of plastic pollution in our marine system and a better environment for all."
The Conference hosts representatives of more than 120 States, including Prime Ministers, Presidents, as well as Ministers and Deputy Ministers with responsibilities related to the Environment and Oceans, as well as representatives of major International and Regional Organizations.
The Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, in the afternoon, as part of her participation in the Conference, met with representatives of the 'Pristine Seas' organisation, with the aim of initiating cooperation aimed at highlighting the benefits of the creation of marine protected areas especially to local communities.
This afternoon, as part of her presence in Athens, she will have a meeting with her Greek counterpart, the Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Mr. Theodoros Skylakakis, during which she will discuss ways of strengthening cooperation between the two countries, Greece and Cyprus, on issues related to environmental management. Particular emphasis will be placed on urban waste management issues, the management and protection of Natura 2000 sites, as well as cooperation and promotion of good practices related to waste reduction and further protection of the environment.
(EFys)
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