In recent years, the fishing profession in Cyprus has been declining and shrinking, resulting in many fishermen leaving the profession.
What is particularly concerning is that young people are not choosing to pursue the profession.
Addressing this situation, Valentinos Fakontis, the AKEL Member of Parliament for Paphos, emphasizes that the problems faced by fishing shelters and related infrastructure, the reduction of stocks, fishing bans in specific areas, and the lack of incentives for attracting new fishermen to the profession herald a grim future for fishing in our region.
Especially regarding the issues faced by professional fishermen in Paphos, he points out that the need to expand the breakwater at the Kato Paphos harbor to prevent turbulence within the harbor basin is more critical.
Additionally, unrestricted and free access for professional fishermen to the terrestrial area of the harbor is essential.
The harbor area is the working space for professional fishermen, he observes. After the installation of a barrier by the Paphos Municipality and the Ports Authority, the unimpeded entry of fishermen into the Kato Paphos harbor has been restricted.
This, he reports, causes them significant inconvenience as they are forced to park their vehicles far away and carry the necessary equipment for their work by hand.
The problems need to be addressed, and fishing policies focusing on the fisherman should be implemented to change the current bleak situation, emphasizes Fakontis.
He also calls for the continuation of the implementation of the fuel subsidy plan, which has been in place for the last two years and has provided relief to professional fishermen who are at the limits of sustainability.
Additionally, the Ministry should quantify the income loss from fishing bans imposed for environmental and other reasons and compensate the fishermen, he concludes.
