Artificial Reefs in Cyprus: an alternative fisheries management
tool
Giorgos Bayadas, Marine Environment Division, Department of
Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR), CYPRUS
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The strategy
Overall goal: To establish four new areas with
ARs by 2013 in order to enhance fish stocks by
increasing habitats and protecting the
surrounding marine environment.
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One area with ARs established has been established in
Amathounta, Limassol in 2009
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General principles of the strategy
ARs are placed :
1. in suitable sites to enhance increase of fish stocks.
2. in coastal areas that extend from shore to -35 to -40 meters
isobaths.
3. close to harbors to facilitate accessibility, safety, inspection and
control
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Targeted objectives
-Encourage general public and targeted groups (snorkelers, swimmers,
divers, schoolchildren, students to use the protected area
-Raise public awareness
-Environmental education
- Monitoring of ARs and application of more specific scientific work
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Stages towards the creation of ARs
• Revision of existing strategy (2011)
• Consultation and agreement with stakeholders
• Official announcement of initiative by the Minister
• Implementation of environmental impact studies
•Implementation of ecological studies
(description of habitats, flora, fauna)
•Mapping of habitats
•Selection of types of ARs
•Design of ARs and marking of protected areas
•Human activities around ARs and possible
impacts by the ARs
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Stages towards the creation of ARs
• Public tenders for construction, cleaning, preparation,
transfer and placement of modules and vessels
• Construction of modules, preparation of vessels
• Deployment of materials
• Activities of public awareness
• Monitoring
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Consultation process
•Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment,
professional & recreational fishermen, local authorities, Dpt of
Merchant Shipping, Ports Authority, Marine Police, Cyprus
Tourist Organization, Cyprus Diving Centers Association,
regional and tourist development companies, environmental
NGOs, nautical and sailing clubs, owners of sea sports, hotels)
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Types of artificial reefs
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ARs are complete, what about the day after?
- Many
stakeholders and many more end-users
- What about legal status? Restrict fishing
completely? How to regulate navigation?
Mooring? Protection status? Diving? Where to
find money?
TOO MANY THINGS
TO HANDLE !
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Managing ARs
DFMR plans to have a management plan and a management body for
each area with ARs.
Priorities: Need to regulate fishing, inspection & control, safety, diving,
access (access fee), navigation, and promote snorkeling, research
swimming, environmental education and awareness,.
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The areas where ARs are to be deployed
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Marine Protected Area with Ars in “Dasoudi”,
Limassol
(Θαλάσσια Προστατευόμενη
Περιοχή)
(Ωκεανογραφικό Κέντρο Κύπρου)
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Marine Protected Area with ARs in Famagusta
District
Ayia Triada fishing
shelter
Liberty
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Golden Coast fishing sheler
Marine
Protected Area with ARs in Paphos district
Εστιατόριο Ατλαντίς
Αεροδρόμιο Πάφου
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Marine Protected Area with Ars in Ayia
Napa
Nissi Beach
Ayia Napa Fishing Shelter
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Thank you for your attention
Giorgos Bayadas, Officer
e-mail:gpayiatas@dfmr.moa.gov.cy
Marine Environment Division
Department of Fisheries and
Marine Research,CYPRUS
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