The persistent issue of sea pollution in Limassol has once again triggered outcry from citizens, drawing attention to the lack of coordination between various state departments. Despite efforts to combat and monitor pollution, recent incidents have worsened, prompting the Limassol municipality to call for more effective state intervention.
In 2023, the Council of Ministers formed a special committee under the Deputy Ministry of Shipping to tackle the ongoing marine pollution in Limassol. However, the initiative has yet to produce meaningful results, with the root cause of the pollution still unidentified due to insufficient monitoring by the responsible agencies.
Environmental expert Dr. Stavros Papastavros, who leads the VSS-EPE/VTS consortium providing marine pollution services for Limassol, voiced concerns about the lack of thorough inspections conducted by the 20 agencies involved. He compared the situation to a “black box” full of unanswered questions regarding the effectiveness of current monitoring efforts.
After another pollution event last Saturday, the Limassol municipality issued a statement, acknowledging that they have taken steps beyond their jurisdiction and called on the state to leverage its resources to address the issue. The municipality stressed that it lacks the authority to impose fines on offenders and reiterated its request for a coordinated task force to ensure comprehensive monitoring of the sea.
Potential pollution sources, which should be regularly inspected by state bodies like the Port Police, State Chemical Laboratory, and municipal health services, include ships, marinas, storm drains, and rainwater pipelines. However, Dr. Papastavros noted that due to inadequate oversight, no one can conclusively pinpoint the sources of the pollution.
During the summer, the VSS-EPE/VTS consortium deploys a specialized boat to monitor the waters from Limassol’s Old Port to the St. Raphael Hotel, collecting waste such as plastic bottles and wastewater. While no petroleum pollution has been detected by the crew, Dr. Papastavros emphasized the need for a more systematic approach to identifying pollution sources, along with thorough inspections by relevant agencies.
The Limassol Winter Swimmers and Friends Association “Akti Olympion” also urged the government to find a solution to the ongoing pollution issue, inviting ministers to participate in a public debate. The group criticized the state’s negligence and fragmented responsibilities, accusing economic interests of worsening the situation.
Earlier this week, following another pollution incident caused by damage to a central well, the Limassol municipality described the event as an isolated occurrence and swiftly repaired the problem.
The recurring pollution problems have led to increased calls for the establishment of a dedicated Coast Guard service that would monitor Cyprus’ seas 24/7. Advocates argue that this service should be granted the power to arrest and penalize individuals responsible for polluting the marine environment.
Source: knews.kathimerini.com.cy