Ways to more effectively prevent marine pollution with the coordinated action of all the competent services were put on the carpet by the Shipping Deputy Minister of Cyprus, Marina Hadjimanoli, the Mayor of Limassol, Nikos Nicolaides, and the representatives of the involved Authorities, in a meeting held on Tuesday, August 1st. 2023, at the Shipping Deputy Ministry.

Marina Hadjimanoli referred to the criticality of this meeting with all the involved bodies of the state, which aimed to intensify and coordinate efforts to prevent marine pollution. “Suggestions have been made today, which we will evaluate later. There will be another meeting on September 6, 2023 with other involved bodies, so that we can reach the desired result, which is above all the protection of the sea. We believe that surveillance is the main tool so that we can get to the person or people who are really causing the problem and deal with it.”

Regarding the penalties that apply in cases of non-compliance with marine pollution legislation, Hadjimanoli said “as a Shipping Deputy Ministry, since we took over we have started to evaluate all the legislations that are under the Shipping Deputy Ministry. And in this case, if any amendment needs to be made so that the penalties are increased, we will not hesitate to do so, if it will help to solve the problem of marine pollution.”

Nicolaides, for his part, welcomed the initiative of the Deputy Minister to convene the meeting, in order to coordinate the actions to be undertaken by each agency according to its responsibilities, and emphasised the enormous importance of the best possible surveillance of potential sources of pollution, so that any problems arise to be effectively treated at their birth.

Dealing with marine pollution has always been very high on the priorities of the Municipality of Limassol, which is the last shield of bathers against pollution, having three ships for the daily surveillance of the coasts of the city from the New Port to the Parklane hotel and a 24-hour line for reporting and registration of issues related to marine pollution, on phone 25884590.