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)

Prohibition of ship/vessel discharges and provision of vessel waste reception facilities in marinas and fishing shelters to minimize and/or eliminate pollution from vessels. Relevant legislation: • Implementation of the MARPOL Guidelines for the discharge of sewage into the high seas with the """"International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (Marine) and Related Laws of 1989 to 2005"""". • The Merchant Shipping (Pollution from Ships) Law of 2008 (45(I)/2008) for the purposes of harmonization with the act of the European Community entitled """"Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 regarding pollution from ships and the establishment of penalties for infringements'. • """"The Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea from Pollution and Related Protocols (Ratifying) Laws of 1979 until 2019"""". • """"The Waste Law 2011-2022"""", article 36, according to which, until December 31, 2024, a system of Extended Producer Responsibility is established for fishing gear containing plastic and available in the Republic of Cyprus market. • National Waste Prevention Program 2023-2029, which includes consumption reduction measures for specific types of single-use plastics, as described in Part A, Annex VIA, of the """"Waste Law 2011-2022"""" and Article 36D.

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.

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.

Environmental licensing for hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities within the Cyprus EEZ, through the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment, the Environmental Impact Assessment from specific activities, as well as the Protocol for the exploitation of the Mediterranean Sea from pollution arising from exploration and protection of the continental shelf and its seabed and subsoil “Protocol for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution resulting from exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf and the seabed and its subsoil (Offshore Protocol) of the Barcelona Convention”. The relevant guidelines also apply.

The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) coordinates the """"Orpheus National Emergency Plan"""" to deal with oil pollution. It sets a requirement of an emergency response plan by all petroleum/hydrocarbon operators and industry to manage accidents that may lead to pollution incidents. Regarding the activities in land-sea facilities, the above requirement is in the context of the implementation of the Emergency Protocol of the Barcelona Convention. Regarding activities within the Republic of Cyprus EEZ, the above requirement is in the context of the implementation of the Protocol for the protection of the Mediterranean Sea from pollution arising from the exploration and exploitation of the continental shelf and its seabed and subsoil and the safety of offshore oil and gas operations (Offshore Safety Directive). Furthermore, in the context of the protection of the marine environment from serious incidents of oil pollution, an agreement has been reached for the implementation between the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, the Government of the Hellenic Republic and the Government of the State of Israel for the Sub-Regional Emergency Plan for Sea pollution. The agreement has been ratified by the Law (Enactment) of 2021. Within this framework and to strengthen the infrastructure of the Republic of Cyprus, the DFMR has proceeded within the framework of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) with the purchase of autonomous anti-pollution vessels.

The Republic of Cyprus, through the Competent Authority and in cooperation with the DFMR and the State General Laboratory, carries out official controls, monitoring, surveillance and applied research of radioactivity levels in the Environment, including the marine environment. The Target is: ● The protection of public health and especially vulnerable groups of the population from ionizing radiation. ● The creation of a data bank for future use in the event of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency Compliance Control, Monitoring and Surveillance Programs are implemented. The annual National Control Program is drawn up in collaboration with the Labor Inspection Department of the Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance in accordance with National and European legislation and covers environmental samples and food. Programs for monitoring and controlling radioactivity levels in the environment are designed with the selection of indicator samples. The program includes determining: ● γ-radionuclide in seawater, fish, seaweed, marine sediments and beach sand. In addition, the development of the method for the determination of α-radionuclide in water is underway. The measure aims to: ● formulation of the National program for monitoring radioactivity levels in food and environmental samples, including the marine environment ● creation of a database regarding the levels of artificial radionuclides in food and environmental samples and ● creation of capacities and infrastructures for the early diagnosis of increasing trends due to nuclear accidents in neighboring countries or the possible use of nuclear weapons. The first database on artificial and natural radionuclides in soil has been developed in collaboration with various academic / research institutions such as the University of Cyprus, Frederick University, the National Research Center for Natural Sciences """"Democritos"""" (research center - Greece) covering all areas under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus. International Partnerships The Republic of Cyprus through the Competent Authority maintains close cooperation with the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), """"Democritos"""" (National Center for Natural Sciences Research) in Greece and the Hellenic Atomic Energy Commission. The Laboratory of Environmental Radioactivity and Food of the State General Laboratory is a member of the International Network ALMERA (Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Radioactivity in the Environment) and takes part in the annual conferences-laboratories. The State General Laboratory is accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 in high definition γ-spectroscopy. The accredited methods of the laboratory as well as the fields of application can be searched on the website of the Cyprus Organisation for the Promotion of Quality (Accredited Bodies, Laboratories of the General Laboratory of the Republic of Cyprus). Preparation of an Action Plan to deal with marine pollution from radioactivity. The construction and operation of a nuclear power plant near the waters of the Republic of Cyprus and in an earthquake-prone area poses risks of possible contamination from radioactivity. The Plan will include: ● monitoring radionuclide concentrations in water, sediments and living organisms ● risk assessment for human health and living organisms ● taking action.

Cyprus, as a Mediterranean island country, has welcomed through the Competent Authority (Deputy Ministry of Shipping) the approval of the draft amendments to MARPOL Annex VI, which will enter into full force on May 1, 2025, regarding the designation of the Mediterranean as a """"Control Area of Sulphur Oxides Emissions' (SECA). The initiative was developed under the Barcelona Convention by the Mediterranean States and the EU, submitted jointly to the IMO and is an example of successful international cooperation of the Regional Maritime Conventions.

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.

Prohibition and/or restrictions on discharges from vessels/ships and the provision of reception facilities for ship sewage and oil in ports (implementation of MARPOL), marinas and fishing shelters to minimize and/or eliminate pollution from vessels.

Limitation of chemical pollutant loads through the application of the limits referred to in the National Fisheries Regulations and the Program of Measures of the WFD (2000/60/EC), as described in the First River Basin Management Plan, including a special licensing system for discharges from industries in marine waters and the appointment of a Commission for the Management of Oil Spill Accidents.

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.

Continuous implementation of the measure regarding the """"Dumping Protocol"""" and its amendments, of the Barcelona Convention (N.20(III)/2001) for the disposal of dredged material, for the protection of benthic habitats. The requirements related to the disposal of dredged materials are determined in the relevant document """"Guidelines for the management of dredges"""" and in the relevant permit issued by DFMR after fulfilling the conditions for a disposal permit. During the construction of coastal protection projects (e.g. breakwaters), a specific Environmental Impact Assessment Study (EIA) is required by the Environmental Authority, in accordance with the 2018 and 2021 Environmental Impact Assessment Laws ( L. 127(I)/2018, L. 23(I)/2021), where in the Environmental Approval that is issued, specific reference is made to securing a relevant license from the DFMR for the disposal point of the dredging materials, if such action is required.