Nicosia: Fishing is an integral part of the community's identity and economy, while also supporting gastronomy and tourism, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Christos Senekis said in an address at the Zygi Fish Festival on Saturday evening. He also referred to funding for initiatives aimed at protecting the marine environment and promoting the sustainable management of fisheries, as well as measures to support fishermen's incomes.
According to Cyprus News Agency, supporting professional fishing is an important priority for the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. At the same time, he stressed that the authorities are aware of the challenges facing fishermen and, through the competent Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, are promoting policies and initiatives that support the incomes of those working in the fishing sector, strengthen the sustainability of the profession and create new prospects.
'A key tool in this effort is the 2021-2027 Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Programme, through which we fund initiatives aimed at protecting the marine environment and ensuring the sustainable management of fisheries', he said. Since April 2024, he added, 80 fishing vessels have been modernised, while, for the first time, professional small-scale coastal fishermen can benefit from grant schemes covering up to 100% of eligible expenditure, with no private contribution required.
He said targeted measures were also being implemented to support fishermen's incomes. 'These include compensation for the temporary cessation of fishing activities, as well as support for the collection and removal of the invasive pufferfish, for which the payment has been increased from pound 3 to pound 4.73 per kilogramme. The compensation scheme for damage to catches caused by dolphins and other protected marine mammals is also continuing, benefiting around 300 professional fishermen each year. Since the scheme was introduced in 2025, compensation totalling pound 1 million has been paid to-date, while total support is expected to reach pound 4 million by 2029, he added.
He further said that a scheme had been implemented to support fishermen through financial compensation towards the cost of agricultural diesel, in response to increased energy pressures affecting the operating costs of professional fishermen. 'At the same time, we are investing in aquaculture, as well as in the processing and marketing of fishery products. Investments worth pound 2.76 million have already been approved, contributing to the modernisation of businesses, increased productivity and the promotion of innovation in the sector,' he noted.