Audit Office report reveals long-standing issues in Cyprus marina licensing

A special report by the Audit Office of Cyprus has identified systemic weaknesses and significant delays in the licensing and management of recreational boat mooring facilities. The issues date back to a 1994 Council of Ministers decision regarding maritime tourism development, which initially established a strategy but lacked necessary legislative frameworks for small-scale facilities. While a 2007 regulation addressed some gaps, current projects designated between 2018 and 2019 remain stalled despite submitted applications. The Audit Office notes that public marine areas remain reserved for years without development, potentially providing financial gains to license holders through increased property values. Furthermore, the state faces lost revenue as annual management fees are not being collected. The Law Office has suggested that collecting these fees before full operational status might be unconstitutional, recommending payment only after project completion. Despite recognizing these legal obstacles, the proposed legislative changes to resolve the fee collection and licensing delays have not yet been submitted. The Audit Office concludes that the current situation prevents the public from benefiting from these marine assets.