The Environmental Federation expresses its “deep and sincere” sadness for the death of its founding member, and pioneer in the protection of sea turtles in Cyprus, Andreas Dimitropoulos, at the age of 84. Organizations of Cyprus.
In a press release, the Federation states that Dimitropoulos, who worked in the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, and served as Director until his retirement in 1998, “dealt with the formulation and implementation of legislation for the sustainable development and management of fisheries and fish farming ». At the same time, it is stated, “he pioneered the protection of the marine environment and the conservation of wildlife in Cyprus, as well as the promotion and development of scientific research in the marine area and the coastal zone of the island”.
On the initiative of Andreas Dimitropoulos, it is noted, sea turtles and their eggs have been protected in Cyprus since 1971, based on the Fisheries Law. In 1978, under the guidance of Andreas Dimitropoulos, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research began to implement the Sea Turtle Conservation Project, on the beaches of Lara and Toxeutra, on the Akama Peninsula, it is added.
It is reported that, together with Myroula Hatzichristofourou, they founded the Cyprus Wildlife Society in 1984 and in 1989 he was a founding member of the Cyprus Federation of Environmental Organizations.
In 1988 he was included in the “Global 500 Roll of Honor” (1987-2003) of the United Nations Environment Programme, due to the pioneering research and important action he developed for the protection of sea turtles in the Mediterranean and the conservation of the Akama Peninsula in Cyprus, the Federation states, among others .
