Member State report / Art18 / 2018 / D2 / Cyprus / Mediterranean: Aegean-Levantine Sea

Report type Member State report to Commission
MSFD Article Art. 18 Interim report on programme of measures
Report due 2018-10-15
GES Descriptor D2 Non-indigenous species
Member State Cyprus
Region/subregion Mediterranean: Aegean-Levantine Sea
Reported by Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development and Environment
Report date 2021-02-09
Report access msfd-ART18.xml
Marine reporting units
Features
Measure code
20
21
22
23
62
63
64
Measure name
Restrictions in the use of NIS in aquaculture
Programme to reduce the population of Lagocephalus ssp. (puffer fish)
Measure to reduce the populations of NIS through selective extraction methods
Establishment of monitoring programme for NIS
Application of SEA and EIA procedure (Directives)
Database of Marine data
Administrative support and monitoring tools
Measure category (type)
1a
2a
1a
2a
Progress in implementation
Implementation started
Implementation started
Measure withdrawn
No
No
Reason for withdrawal
Year of implementation (Temporal coverage - timeline for implementation)
2012
2023
2017
Delay
0
0
Reasons for delay
Other obstacles (Obstacles to implementation)
No
Yes
No
Type of obstacle
Technical implementation
Further information on obstacle (Description)
Data are not always stored electronically and are not centralised. Information regarding the MSFD are collected and archived, not always in a formats that can be readily accessed. There is a need to build a centralised database that can collect store and disseminate data for the MSFD. The goverment bodies that collect data related to MSFD are: Department of Fisheries and Marine Research Department of Enviroment, Department of Works -Marine Division Department of Lands and Surveys Fauna and Wildlife Service (Birds) Ministry of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism
Brief description of progress (measurement of effectiveness of measure)
Cyprus implements COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 708/2007 concerning the use of alien and locally absent species in aquaculture.
Program initiated in 2009 and is ongoing.
THE EU-LIFE RELIONMED project has started successfully on September 2017 and is ongoing. Programme to control population of Lagocephalus ssp. using selective gear is also ongoing.
Surveys completed in the eastern part of Cyprus, Cavo Greco and Nissia MPAs (2017-2018; DFMR, 2018). Abundance and spatial distribution data of established NIS have been collected at two MPAs through the project “Baseline survey and monitoring of non-indigenous species in Cavo Greco and Nisia Marine Protected Areas in Cyprus”, financed by the Operational Program “Thalassa 2014-2020” (75% by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund & 25% by national funds) (DFMR, 2018). The baseline survey and monitoring of Non indigenous species in the west part of Cyprus in the marine protected areas of Lara/Toxeftra, Peyia sea caves and the Natura 2000 Thalassia perioxi Moulia scheduled to comence early 2021 and completes in late 2022. Surveys of artisanal catch landing have since 2020 incorporated data collection for all NIS recording abundance and distribution in the catch.
The database currently used by the DFMR is called "THETIS". Thetis is not connected to the other government agencies collecting data related to MSFD. The process for upgrading the database to make it more functional has began. The DFMR has contacted various MS requesting information on their databases. Measures to be taken are the evaluation of Databases currently used by MS, applicability for the Cyprus MSFD program, tender and acquisition of a modern internet based database. Input of all data related to MSFD. This process is estimated to be completed by 2023.
Monitoring tools and administrative support for D11 is in the process of being planned and evaluated. Quietmed II and Quietseas that Cyprus has and will participate in will assist in the administrative implemetnation. Monitoring tools for D11 are currently lucking but a process has been initiated and funds have been requested. The DFMR is in discussion with the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) an independent, international, scientific and business Centre of Excellence for marine and maritime research, technological development and innovation.