Protected Lara turtle beach dispute intensifies as illegal umbrellas, tents defy law

Local Akamasanimal welfareAnimalsbeachenvironmentTop Newsturtles Protected Lara turtle beach dispute intensifies as illegal umbrellas, tents defy law Protected Lara Turtle Beach Dispute Intensifies As Illegal Umbrellas, Tents Defy Law Relevant News Protected Lara turtle beach dispute intensifies as illegal umbrellas, tents defy law 24 August 2026 Limassol scooter rider critically injured in collision with motorcycle (video) 24 August 2026 23 months of work needed for a home deposit in Cyprus, report finds 24 August 2026 Angelos Nicolaou 24 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Inia local authority’s longstanding push for an organised tourist beach at Lara conflicts with existing legislation protecting the site, a dispute reignited after visitors and environmental organisations found umbrellas, sunbeds and tents illegally placed on the protected beach, one of the Mediterranean’s most important nesting sites for Caretta caretta and Chelonia mydas sea turtles. The discovery prompted a strong reaction from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR), as well as online and on social media. Public comments from local figures in the Akamas Municipality area, who left open the possibility of creating an “organised beach” in the eastern, rocky part of the area, further fuelled debate over the coexistence of tourism and the environment. The severity of the complaints prompted DFMR to intervene directly. In a statement, the department firmly reminded the public of the obligation to strictly observe the law in the Lara-Toxeftra Protected Area. DFMR made clear that between June 1 and September 30, placing umbrellas, beds, tents and caravans is prohibited, as is remaining on the beach overnight, from one hour before sunset until one hour after sunrise. Protection dating back to 1989 According to DFMR, these restrictions are not new but have been continuously in force since 1989, aimed primarily at protecting the nesting beaches of the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta). The Lara-Toxeftra beaches are among the most important sea turtle nesting sites in Cyprus. DFMR said that wherever violations are found, it will take the action provided for by law. Both turtle species have been protected under the Fisheries Law (Cap. 135) since 1970, and DFMR has protected their nests ever since. The first surveys of sea turtle nests were carried out between 1976 and 1977, and DFMR launched its annual sea turtle protection programme on the Lara and Toxeftra beaches in 1978. The Lara-Toxeftra Marine Protected Area covers the coastal zone up to 90 metres from the sea and the marine area up to a depth of 20 metres, stretching from Argaki tou Yiousoufi in the north to the mouth of the Aspros River in the south. Environment Commissioner Ilias Myrianthous publicly condemned the placement of the equipment, while also raising concerns about the adequacy of inspections and the enforcement of fines. Inia Deputy Mayor Giagkos Tsivikos rejected criticism suggesting that the bathers who placed the equipment were necessarily local residents, noting that Lara receives up to 300,000 visitors during the summer months. Tsivikos renewed the local authority’s longstanding request to the Interior Ministry for umbrellas and sunbeds to be permitted in the eastern, rocky part of the beach. He argued that people had coexisted with the environment on the Akamas peninsula for centuries and disputed environmentalists’ description of the situation as an “environmental medieval age.” He also questioned the purpose of the metal protective cages DFMR places over the nests, calling for “a sustainable solution for the coexistence of people, the environment and turtles.” The 2023 precedent A nearly identical situation unfolded in the summer of 2023, when a proposal to create an organised beach at Lara was again put forward, and was expected to go before the Council of Ministers. At the time, the response from the relevant authority was immediate and decisive. The then Director of DFMR sent a strongly worded letter making clear that granting any licence for sunbeds and umbrellas at Lara was legally impossible. The area is protected under the Protection of Nature and Wildlife Law, the Natura 2000 network, and the Protocol for Specially Protected Areas of the Barcelona Convention. The written intervention by the DFMR Director resulted in the immediate freezing of all planning. The written intervention by the DFMR Director resulted in the immediate freezing of all planning. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Limassol scooter rider critically injured in collision with motorcycle (video) 23 months of work needed for a home deposit in Cyprus, report finds Larnaca driver tests negative for drink and drugs after fatal motorcycle crash Monday to see hot and mostly clear weather with isolated mountain showers Kingfisher: a model of modern Cypriot seafood dining Larnaca motorcyclist dies in fatal head-on collision on Kellia–Troulloi road Scooter rider seriously injured in Limassol crash involving motorcycle and bus Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.