The major issue concerning the surveillance and protection of the marine environment requires a targeted response and coordinated action, which the Deputy Ministry of Shipping understands, states in a statement on Tuesday, the said Deputy Ministry noting that “the hasty conclusions and the attempt to assign responsibilities by specific co-competent body, they will not solve the problem. On the contrary, they hinder the required coordination to effectively deal with any pollution phenomena”.
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As mentioned, it is obvious that pollution phenomena do not result from a single factor, since land-based activities, atmospheric pollutants, marine mining and unintentional or voluntary discharges contribute to marine pollution much more than shipping activity, without of course this means that pollution sources do not differ from region to region.
It is added that according to data from the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), land-based pollution accounts for approximately 75% of total marine pollution.
It is noted that the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, recognizing the dimensions of this serious issue, and studying the problem as a whole, proceeded with a series of actions.
In particular, he states that he took the initiative of setting up a committee for the first time, with a decision of the Council of Ministers, which he coordinates, with the participation of all co-competent bodies (Deputy Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works, Deputy Ministry of Tourism, Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Union Municipalities of Cyprus, Cyprus Ports Authority, Port and Maritime Police, Department of Environment, Air Operations Unit) addressing in this way, the chronic problem of the fragmentation of responsibilities, with the aim of effectively preventing, preventing and suppressing any pollution phenomena. The Commission has already mapped the responsibilities and powers of the various agencies, as well as the potential for effective oversight, it added. In addition, it is reported, it has already collected historical data from recent pollution phenomena to provide an understanding of common sources of pollution.
Secondly, the announcement continues, special emphasis was placed on the bay of Limassol, holding a special meeting convened by the Deputy Ministry on 07/08/2024 with the participation of the competent bodies, including the Municipality of Limassol and the VSS-EPE/VTS consortium (contracting company which carries out the offer of the Municipality of Limassol for the surveillance and suppression of marine pollution), where immediate actions were unanimously agreed to take specific preventive measures as well as to identify the sources of pollution, which will be taken during the current summer season.
In particular, it was decided, among other things, to further increase the patrols at sea by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research as well as the controls on vessels under the responsibility of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping. Also, it was decided to carry out an inspection campaign of the Limassol coastline by inspectors of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping and the Municipality of Limassol and the placement of absorbent barriers (Boom) by the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research at specific points. It was also decided to determine additional parameters on the basis of which the laboratory analyzes will be carried out to verify the type of possible pollution and to request the EOA to send the Commission a map of the pipelines that end up in the sea from the land in Limassol Bay.
< p data-block-key="7vfes">It is noted that for the last 2 weeks the actions related to the inspection campaign of the Limassol coastline and the patrols in the sea have been ongoing, without any pollution phenomena being detected, with the exception of some isolated foam phenomena which are not necessarily pollution. In addition, it is reported, an absorbent barrier (Boom) has been installed at a point of increased risk while further points are also being examined. Also, the Deputy Ministry of Shipping has intensified the controls of coastal vessels.
Thirdly, the announcement of the Deputy Ministry continues, the provisions of the existing Law & Regulations on High Speed Boats, which are potentially a potential source of pollution, have been in force for 32 years. The Deputy Ministry, as mentioned, proceeded to modernize the legislative framework and prepared new legislation (“The Recreational Boating in the Republic Law 2024” and draft Regulations entitled “The Recreational Boating in the Republic Regulations of 2024”) which were approved by the Council of Ministers on 24/04/2024 and submitted to the House of Representatives on 20/06/2024. The said legislative framework, among other things, expands the scope of the law to all pleasure boats up to 24 meters in length, strengthens the supervisory powers of the competent authority and tightens the penalties including the possibility of out-of-court settlement of offences, it is reported.
The Deputy Ministry of Shipping mentions as a fourth point the fact that it cooperates with scientific bodies and is in the process of utilizing specific technological means, both for prevention and early detection, but also for dealing with incidents pollution.
“Based on the holistic approach and the seriousness required by the circumstances, the Deputy Ministry of Shipping is proceeding in cooperation with the relevant bodies in the implementation of its integrated strategy, so that to eliminate both the unpleasant phenomena and the causes that cause them”, it states.
Finally, it is noted that marine pollution incidents can be reported by name to the 24-hour telephone service of of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping under numbers 25848114 and 25848277.
Source: KYPE
