Argaka beach approved with strict turtle protection conditions

Local environmentnatura 2000PaphosTop Newsturtles Argaka beach approved with strict turtle protection conditions Argaka Beach Approved With Strict Turtle Protection Conditions Relevant News Argaka beach approved with strict turtle protection conditions 5 September 2026 Iranian tanker hit by U.S. forces near Kharg Island, Tasnim says 5 September 2026 Blast at Bolivian barracks kills at least two, dozens hurt 5 September 2026 Angelos Nicolaou 5 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus’s Central Beaches Committee has approved the creation of an organised bathing beach in the Argaka community, to serve the local and tourist needs of residents and visitors to the area. The decision, published in yesterday’s edition of the Official Gazette, approves a beach-use plan for Argaka beach in the Argaka municipal district of Polis Chrysochous Municipality, as part of an effort to balance tourism activity with wildlife protection. The approval is conditional on full compliance with a set of strict environmental conditions set out in a Special Ecological Assessment Report drawn up by the Department of Environment. This marks the second attempt to establish an organised bathing presence on this sensitive stretch of coastline, part of a wider effort to concentrate bathers at organised beaches, Argaka and Gialia, to limit uncontrolled use of the rest of the coastline and reduce the impact on protected species and habitats. In 2021, the Committee had licensed an organised beach in the same area, but that attempt failed after the Committee was forced to suspend its operation and revoke the use plan when the environmental conditions set to protect the ecosystem were not implemented. Argaka beach falls within a Special Area of Conservation under the Natura 2000 network, known as the “Polis-Gialia Area.” It is one of the most important nesting habitats in Cyprus for the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), with the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) also recorded there. The area also hosts protected dune habitats and rare coastal plant species. To ensure no negative impact on the turtles’ breeding population or the coast’s natural shape, the Special Ecological Assessment Report imposes the following conditions: Any turtle nest that is found will be immediately covered with a special protective cage and marked, in cooperation with the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research. During the nesting and hatching season, from May 1 to September 30, the beach will operate only during daylight hours, from one hour after sunrise to one hour before sunset. Night lighting is strictly banned, and visitors are prohibited from remaining on the beach at night, to avoid disorienting turtles and hatchlings. The 78 approved sunbeds must be removed every evening, while the 39 umbrellas will remain on fixed bases, to avoid the daily digging of holes in the sand that could damage hidden nests. The use of mechanical equipment or ploughing of the sand for beach cleaning is explicitly prohibited; cleaning must be done by hand only. Any intervention on the dunes is prohibited, and natural barriers such as boulders or wooden posts will be placed to fully block vehicle access to the beach. Motorised water sports, floating or permanent jetties, and anchoring are all prohibited. According to the published notice, any person or local authority who considers their legal interests affected retains the right to file a hierarchical recourse with the Interior Minister within 30 days of today’s publication. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Iranian tanker hit by U.S. forces near Kharg Island, Tasnim says Blast at Bolivian barracks kills at least two, dozens hurt Overnight pharmacies on Saturday, September 5 Police arrest 42-year-old man driving stolen vehicle after Nicosia chase Mazotos resident anger grows as desalination unit plan stays in place Cyprus buys new armoured presidential car without tender EDEK members vote today to choose new party leader Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.