Environmental concerns raised over Latsi harbor expansion

BirdLife Cyprus has voiced significant environmental concerns regarding the proposed expansion of the harbor at Latsi. The project aims to increase the facility's capacity from approximately 200 to 384 recreational vessels. Conservationists are calling for a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative impacts this development may have on the surrounding marine and coastal ecosystems.

The Chrysochou Bay area is a critical habitat for protected species, including sea turtles, Mediterranean monk seals, and various seabirds. It also hosts vital habitats such as Posidonia seagrass meadows. Data from the LIFE IP Pandoteira project specifically highlights the coastal stretch of the Akamas Peninsula and Chrysochou Bay as essential for the European shag (Gulosus aristotelis desmarestii), which frequently uses the zone for foraging and resting. The expansion is located within areas protected by the Natura 2000 network, intensifying the need for rigorous environmental oversight.