For projects related to port constructions, Environmental Impact Assessment Studies (EIAs) are implemented, which are submitted to the Environmental Authority for approval, as provided for in the """"Law of 2018 to 2021 on the assessment of the environmental impacts of certain projects"""". Based on this, among other things, a description is made of the existing environment including the marine biodiversity of the area that will be affected by the project and a description / assessment of the possible significant effects that the project may cause on the environment. Also, proposed measures to mitigate/minimize impacts during the construction and operation of the project are defined. The Environmental Authority, based on the information submitted, evaluates and approves/rejects the projects and determines relevant environmental conditions that are an integral part of their licensing. Regarding matters of anchoring in port areas, the management falls under the competence of the Cyprus Ports Authority, in accordance with the relevant legislation, namely the """"Ports Authority Law of 1973, (Law 38/1973)"""". The Cyprus Ports Authority, with the approval of the Council of Ministers, has issued the Cyprus Ports Authority (Operation of Port Areas) Decree of 2016 (Regulatory Administrative Act 373/2016). The Decree includes, among other things, the following: ● the management and operation of port areas ● the control of vessels both in motion and at anchor within the port area ● port area operation (Part II) ● mooring or anchoring of vessels within a port area (Part VII)

The measure concerns the operation of tertiary sewage treatment facilities in all coastal areas, which results in practically zero discharges into sea waters. In the context of the implementation of the objective of the Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment concerning the assurance of quality and the protection of water resources and the aquatic environment in the field of liquid waste, the priority is the full implementation of the Directive on the treatment of urban wastewater 91/271/EEC. The implementation of sewage systems for the management of urban wastewater within the framework of the Directive contributes to dealing with sewage problems that arise due to the overflow of absorption pits, which cause pollution and contamination of the subsoil and groundwater, due to the infiltration of the sewage into the subsoil. In addition, significant benefits arise from the operation of central sewage systems, such as the production of recycled water and sludge that can be used as soil improvers.

Nitrification of groundwater and surface water is a complex phenomenon mainly due to agricultural activities. The obligation to protect waters from nitrate pollution derives from the relevant Directive (91/676/EC) concerning agricultural activities. For purposes of harmonization with this Directive, the Republic of Cyprus has issued the Water Pollution Control Laws of 2002 to 2013, the Water Pollution Control (Nitrite Pollution of Agricultural Origin) Regulations of 2002, the Water Pollution Control (Program Action for the Protection of Vulnerable Zones from Nitrogen Pollution) Decree of 2014 (Regulatory Administrative Act 281/2014) and the Code of Good Agricultural Practice of 2007 (Regulatory Administrative Act 263/2007). Furthermore, 7 areas (Kokkinohoria, Kiti-Pervolia, Akrotiri, Pegeia, Polis Chrysochous, Orounda and Pentaschοinos) have been designated as Nitrate Pollution Vulnerable Zones. In these Zones, an Action Program is implemented. In the framework of the 2023-2025 Strategic Plan of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, one of the objectives is to minimize nutrient loads in groundwater through the implementation of the national code of agricultural best practices """"Code of Good Agricultural Practice of 2007"""" (Regulatory Administrative Act. 263/2007).

Government policy in the field of aquaculture aims at the sustainable and environmentally balanced development of aquaculture to maximize its contribution to domestic fish production, in accordance with the needs of the Cypriot and international markets. The management of the activity, as well as the promotion and development of aquaculture falls under the responsibilities of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. It is regulated by a specific legislative framework consisting of the Aquaculture Laws of 2000 to 2010 and the """"Aquaculture (General) Regulations 2002 to 2010"""". The legislation generally defines the licensing procedures, the operating framework of the units, their obligations towards the competent authorities, the powers of the Director of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, as well as the penalties in case of misconduct. In addition to the above, the activity of aquaculture is also regulated by relevant provisions in other legislations such as that of the Environmental Authority concerning the assurance of the state and quality of the environment including the seabed. Specifically, in accordance with Annex I of the Environmental Impact Assessment of Certain Projects Laws of 2018 and 2021 (L. 127(I)/2018, L. 23(I)/2021), for fish farming projects with production equal to or greater than 1000 tons of fish per year there is a requirement for the preparation and submission (through the competent authority which is the DFMR to the Environmental Authority) of an Environmental Impact Assessment Study. Accordingly, for the projects of intensive fish farming facilities, as long as they are not included in the First Annex, it is required to submit the relevant information (Form 7 – Information Report), through the competent authority (DFMR) to the Department of Environment. All marine fish fattening units operate using the open sea cage farming method, at a distance of 1-4 kilometres from land and in water depths ranging from 20 to 70 meters. This farming method was chosen for environmental reasons, since it is considered to cause less impact on the environment and also for economic reasons due to the multiple use of the coastal zone and the unavailability of sites in the coastal areas. Although the operation and maintenance costs of the units are higher, with the practice of open sea aquaculture, the good condition of the marine environment is ensured by reducing the impacts due to the strong currents and the great depth that contribute to the better dispersion of the waste. At the same time, the well-being of the farmed species is ensured due to the large water changes as there is increased oxygen. In addition, to date and due to the good conditions of the farmed fish, there have been no incidents of disease. This policy/practice has yielded remarkable results and will continue to be implemented in the future. Modernization of aquaculture units, including actions to monitor and improve their environmental performance through the implementation of a national policy and relevant multi-year strategy. Improvements in aquaculture operations to limit nutrient enrichment, including greater efficiency, nutrient management and the promotion of closed systems.

In the framework of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Republic of Cyprus has drawn up and published the 1st Water Management Plan with the accompanying Program of Measures, in June 2011. Subsequently, with the completion of the 1st management cycle in the period 2011-2015, the 2nd Water Management Plan and the related Program of Measures, was approved in October 2016 by the Council of Ministers and submitted to the European Union. The 3rd management cycle is in progress, Cyprus like all EU MS is preparing the 3rd Revised Management Plan and the new Program of Measures. The relevant sections with the work that has been completed for this purpose are posted on the Water Development Department website and include all the required preparatory work for the drawing up of the plan, while the 3rd Management Plan and the Program of Measures are expected to be completed and posted soon, as well as accompanying reports and documentation reports for the 3rd River Basin Management Plan (2021-2027). The plan mentions the continuous monitoring of the biotic parameters of benthic macrofauna, macroalgae, Posidonia oceanica, chlorophyll-a, the physicochemical parameters dissolved oxygen, pH, redox potential, temperature, salinity, electrical conductivity, nutrients and the Priority Substances of the unified Directive 2008/105/EC, with the aim of evaluating the chemical and ecological status of coastal waters, in the context of the implementation of the WFD. Implementation of measures of the Program of Measures of the WFD (2000/60/EC) that indirectly affect coastal waters, will significantly contribute to limiting the runoff of nutrient loads from land sources such as agriculture but also point sources to coastal water bodies. It includes among other a special licensing system for discharges from industries into marine waters, including aquaculture facilities. It is noted that the 3rd River Basin Management Plan (RBMP) of the Republic of Cyprus for the period 2021-2027 is currently being prepared.

This measure concerns the implementation of management plans for industrial units that directly or indirectly affect the coastal and marine environment. The relevant legislation is """"the Industrial Emissions (Integrated Prevention and Control of Pollution) Law of 2013 (L. 184(I)/2013)"""" and in particular with regard to desalination units """"the Water Pollution Control Laws of 2002 to 2013 (Law 106(I)/2002, including all amendments)"""". In particular with regard to the licensing of desalination brine disposal mechanisms, including the location and design of brine disposal to protect priority habitats as well as to maximize the dispersion of brine at sea. The Waste Disposal Permits (WDPs) prepared by the Department of the Environment include limits and conditions for the disposal of brine. Applications are submitted by the Operator of each installation, which are any natural or legal person who operates or controls the installation or who has been entrusted with decisive financial authority regarding the technical operation of the installation. WDP is granted by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment following the following procedure: ● Submitting an application to the Environment Department ● Preparation of Draft WDP, which is examined and approved by a competent Technical Committee. ● Signing of the WDP by the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. The WDP includes various conditions for the protection of coastal waters, including a discharge monitoring program.

The measure concerns the mapping of the meadows of Posidonia oceanica and other habitats of the Habitats Directive, such as reefs, sandbanks with Cymodecea, etc., in areas outside the existing marine protected areas.

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.

The Implementation of the Programs of Measures of the WFD (2000/60/EC) as described in the First River Basin Management Plan to limit nutrient loads from land-based sources, to all water bodies, including among others a special licensing system for discharges from industries in marine waters, including aquaculture facilities.

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.