Control and / or limitation of the use non-indigenous species (NIS) in aquaculture through the implementation of regulation 708/2007 (Regulatory Administrative Act 412/2008) in accordance to the National legislation """"On the Implementation of Community Decisions and Community Regulations concerning Fisheries Law of 2006 (134(I)/2006)». The DFMR applies the relevant Community and National legislation to limit the use of NIS in aquaculture. Permission to use non-indigenous species in aquaculture is approved only after the recommendation of the appointed Committee of the DFMR that examines the applications with the prescribed information for use of NIS and the approval of the Director of the DFMR.

Various measures are included such as the preparation of action plans for alien species and targeted measures to reduce their populations such as for example the silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus ssp.). The DFMR had prepared the Management Plan: """"Plan for the control of the population of the silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) in the coastal waters of Cyprus"""", which was approved by the European Commission in February 2012 and through which the action to combat the silver-cheeked toadfish from Priority Axis 3 of the Operational Fisheries Programme (OPF) 2007-2013. This action continued through the Operational Fisheries Programme (OPF) 2014-2020. A program to mitigate the population of Lagocephalus ssp. with targeted fishing/removal based on the results of previous monitoring and collection efforts. EMFF measure 1.18 “Protection and Restoration of marine biodiversity and ecosystems” was implemented in the period 2014-2020. The 1st call for the Scheme for fishing the non-Indigenous Species L. sceleratus also known as «puffer fish», which has invasive behavior was launched on 13/6/2016 to 12/9/2016. Five (5) projects were implemented, and beneficiaries received payment for the amount of €229.395 for fishing 76.465kg of the species. The 2nd call was launched on 02/05/2019 to 02/08/2019. 10 projects were approved and by the end of 2021, beneficiaries received payment for the amount of €462.935 for fishing 154.132 kg of the species. The action continues through the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund - Programme for Cyprus 2021 - 2027 with the Special Objective 1.6 """"Fisheries management to limit unwanted species"""", Project """"Grant Plan to limit the spread of silver-cheeked toadfish in the coastal waters of Cyprus"""".In the 2021-2027 EMFAF, the Special Objective 1.6 Fisheries management has been included to limit unwanted species with the """"Sponsorship Plan to limit the spread of silver-cheeked toadfish in the coastal waters of Cyprus"""". The program to reduce the population of the species (Lagocephalus sceleratus) in the coastal zone of Cyprus is implemented by collective groups of fishermen and concerns the exercise of intense fishing pressure on the reproductive population of the species by the coastal professional fleet of Cyprus. The term control does not mean the complete disappearance of the species from an area, but the limitation of its population to such an extent that it no longer constitutes a prohibitive element for the development of coastal fishing, but also contributes to the improvement of working conditions.

The Republic of Cyprus implements the relevant legislation """"the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships Ballast water and Sediments and Related Matters (Enforcement) Law of 2018 (N. 5(III)/2018)"""". The Law ratifies the International Convention for the Control and Management of ships ballast water and sediments, as amended or replaced, which was signed in London on February 13, 2004 and to which the accession of the Republic was approved, by the Decision of Council of Ministers No. 81.740, dated December 2, 2016. The legislation applies to Cypriot ships wherever they are and to foreign ships that either fly or do not fly the flag of a state party to the Convention that sail to ports of the Republic or are within the territorial sea or the exclusive economic zone of the Republic. The master and the operator of a Cypriot ship or a foreign ship have an obligation to comply with the requirements of the Convention regarding the transport of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens through ballast waters and sediments originating from ships, including the standards and requirements provided for in the Annex of Law. When implementing the Convention, the master and the operator of a Cypriot ship or a foreign ship shall take into account the guidelines. It is prohibited to discard ballast waters from a Cypriot ship or a foreign ship unless this is permitted in accordance with the provisions of the Convention. The master and the operator of a Cypriot ship or a foreign ship have an obligation to have and implement a Ballast Water Management plan, as stipulated in the Convention taking into account the guidelines. In the context of the measure, Action Plans and initiatives will be implemented to educate yacht owners and marina managers on the prevention and management of NIS.

Establishing a monitoring program for non-indigenous species, mainly in coastal waters.

The measure concerns the implementation of studies for the establishment of new protected marine fishing areas to achieve the Biodiversity goals 2030 by: • Protecting breeding grounds and nurseries of commercially important species, in coordination with the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and Regulation 1967/2006, • Combined with new artificial reefs to recover fish stocks and reduce pressure on natural reefs, • As ecological corridors, in combination with the installation of new artificial reefs. Establishment of marine protected areas (Natura 2000) within the framework of the Directive on the Conservation of Habitats and Wild Fauna and Flora (92/43/EC) and the Protocol on Specially Protected Areas of Biodiversity in the Mediterranean of the Barcelona Convention. So far, 7 coastal Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been established within the Natura 2000 network (Habitats Directive, 92/43/EEC EU-HD) for the protection of Annex I habitats. The measure also involves the establishment within MPA of artificial reefs,structures intentionally placed on the seabed, which aim to mimic the properties provided by a natural reef such as shelter, nutrition, reproduction, growth and increase in size and number of the population of living marine organisms. The Artificial reefs (AR) withn MPAs measures consists of a group of actions /projects co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) - Operational Program """"SEA 2014-2020"""" and the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021-2027. It involves the creation of new AFs and/or the upgrading and enrichment of existing AFs with new sections. It includes actions related to the preparation and implementation of management plans, monitoring and surveillance, public awareness, information and education and will further promote the protection and management of the coastal marine ecosystems.

Management measures have been established/proposed for the """"SAC Thalassia Periochi Moulia - CY4000006” and """" SAC Thalassia Periochi Nisia CY3000006"""" marine areas, of the N2K network, which include various management measures, through the Nature and Wildlife Protection and Management Law of 2003 (N. 153(I) /2003), while for the rest of the areas they are in their implementation stage. Within these measures there are regulations concerning various human activities and projects such as for example the anchoring of boats, fishing, the construction of breakwaters, etc. MPAs were established under the 'Fisheries Act' and management plans established under Ordinances include regulations / prohibitions in relation to fishing, the passage of vessels or other watercraft (including non-motorised) and their mooring. The measure will contribute to the evaluation and definition of new management measures for MPAs including the offshore MPA """"Oceanis"""" which will take into account the limits of Good Environmental Status. Since the institutional creation of the first MPA with AR until 2023, at the six AR existing there has been enrichment with constructions of artificial reefs. In the context of the implementation of the Operational Program Thalassa 2014-2020 which is completed at the end of 2023, as well as in the context of other initiatives (INTERREG in 2022) these areas have been enriched. Also in 2022, a scientific monitoring program was completed, while there is an ongoing process of marking the areas in order to more effectively monitor them. With regard to the management of the MPAs with AR, based on Article 5A of the Fisheries Law, the DFMR will proceed with the creation of management plans for these areas in order to regulate human activities, the transit of vessels and to create operating rules in these areas.