Limassol’s recurring pollution problem: Calls for stronger government action

A recurring pollution problem in the Limassol sea has once again provoked strong reactions from citizens, highlighting a lack of coordination among state departments. Despite efforts to prevent and monitor pollution, incidents have peaked recently, leading to a desperate plea from the Limassol municipality for effective state intervention.

Last year, following a decision by the Council of Ministers, an ad hoc committee was established under the Deputy Ministry of Shipping to address marine pollution in Limassol. However, the initiative has yet to yield significant results, as the source of the pollution remains unidentified due to inadequate monitoring by relevant state agencies.

Dr. Stavros Papastavros, an environmentalist and director of the VSS-EPE/VTS consortium, which provides marine pollution services for the Limassol municipality, expressed concerns about the lack of thorough inspections by the 20 agencies involved. He likened the situation to a “black box” filled with unanswered questions about the effectiveness of the controls in place.

On Saturday, following another pollution incident, the Limassol municipality announced that it had taken initiatives beyond its authority and called for the state to utilize its resources to combat the issue. The municipality emphasized its inability to impose penalties on violators and reiterated its request for a coordinated action team to ensure comprehensive sea monitoring.

The sources of pollution, which should be regularly checked by state departments such as the Port Police, State Chemical Laboratory, and municipal health services, include passing ships, marinas, torrents, and rainwater pipelines. However, Dr. Papastavros pointed out that no one can definitively say which sources are responsible, as proper control is lacking.

During the summer, the VSS-EPE/VTS consortium’s specialized boat monitors the sea from the Old Port of Limassol to the St. Raphael Hotel, cleaning waste ranging from plastic bottles to wastewater. While the boat crew finds no petroleum pollution, Dr. Papastavros stressed the need for a systematic program to identify potential pollution sources and ensure proper checks by the relevant agencies.

The Limassol Winter Swimmers and Friends Association "Akti Olympion" has also called for a solution to the pollution problem, inviting relevant ministers to a public debate. The group criticized the state’s negligence and fragmentation of responsibilities, which they claim allows economic interests to exacerbate the issue.

On Monday, following yet another pollution incident caused by a damaged central well, the Limassol municipality described the event as isolated and promptly repaired the damage.

The ongoing pollution issues have prompted calls for the creation of a Coast Guard service to monitor Cyprus’ seas and coasts around the clock, with the power to arrest and penalize those found polluting the marine environment.

[Summary of Pavlos Neophytos' original story in Greek published in Kathimerini's Cyprus edition]