Satellite tracking reveals high boat traffic in Cyprus marine protected areas

Satellite monitoring conducted during the summer periods of 2024 and 2025 has identified 2,060 instances of boat activity across three major Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in Cyprus: Lady’s Mile, Latsi-Akamas, and Cape Greco. Data analysis indicates that over half of these vessels lacked active Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals, raising concerns regarding the oversight of sensitive coastal zones.

These areas serve as critical habitats for marine biodiversity, particularly protecting meadows of Posidonia oceanica. This seagrass species is vital for carbon sequestration, coastal erosion prevention, and as a nursery for various marine species. Experts emphasize that because Posidonia oceanica grows extremely slowly, physical damage caused by boats can persist for decades, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and stricter management of human activity within these protected ecosystems.