Tuna and Swordfish Protection Discussed in Limassol

The 24th annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) was held in Limassol. During the forum, Cyprus reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable fishing practices and the preservation of marine resources.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, at the opening session.

The Minister emphasized the importance of establishing balanced and fair fishing quotas.

“Cyprus, in line with the European Union’s priorities, remains committed to supporting scientifically-based fisheries management, ensuring that quotas and policies are determined by scientific assessments,” stated Maria Panayiotou.

To illustrate this, the Minister cited the example of managing the bluefin tuna fishery, where quotas are set based on migration and reproductive data, allowing for a balance between ecological sustainability and the economic needs of local communities.

She also highlighted the significance of large pelagic fisheries, such as tuna and swordfish, which play a central role in both Cyprus's economy and its cultural heritage.

Maria Panayiotou further stressed the importance of setting fishing restrictions that reflect regional needs and scientific recommendations. In line with EU efforts, Cyprus supports measures to minimize bycatch and reduce mortality rates for vulnerable species, such as sharks and sea turtles.

Additionally, Cyprus remains committed to combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.