Good news for the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) as the Council of Ministers approved on Tuesday the expropriation of private property in the Sea Caves area in Peyia where the seal reproduces.
According to the announcement, today’s decision is of great importance for the preservation of the small population of Monachus Monachus in Cyprus.
The move was an initiative of Minister of Agriculture Costas Kadis and falls within Cyprus’ international obligations to effectively protect the species.
Other measures have previously been taken to protect the biodiversity of the Sea Caves area, including the issuing of a decree to declare the area around the caves as a protected zone, prohibiting fishing and access to motorboats.
The announcement notes that the decree as well as today’s measures are in line with the recommendations submitted by expert scientist on the Mediterranean monk seal Dr Panayiotis Dendrinos.
According to the latest data by the observation programme of the Mediterranean seal in Cyprus, there are currently 19 monachus monachus seals living along the Cypriot coast.
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