The Terra Cypria foundation is drawing attention to the threats facing the Mediterranean monk seal at the Ayia Napa Sea Caves, an important refuge for the species. It notes that Monachus monachus is the rarest of the 33 seal species worldwide and is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. It is also considered Europe’s most endangered marine mammal.
According to a statement by the foundation, the global population of the Mediterranean monk seal is estimated at around 1,000, half of which live in Greek waters. In Cyprus, the population is estimated at approximately 20 to 22 individuals, according to a 2025 estimate.
Terra Cypria says the Ayia Napa Sea Caves at Cape Greco are among the species’ most important habitats and host one of its largest subpopulations in Cyprus. However, the ban on the passage and anchoring of boats or other watercraft applies only from 1 November to 30 April each year.
During a visit to the area in October, the foundation identified significant pressures and threats from human activities, with negative effects. These include the passage and anchoring of pleasure craft, human disturbance, entry into the sea caves, access to the sea arch overlooking the area, illegal fishing and construction along the coastal zone.
Terra Cypria welcomes the formal proposal submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture to the European Commission to include the Ayia Napa Sea Caves Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Republic of Cyprus’s List of Areas of Environmental Importance, through an expansion of the Cape Greco Special Area of Conservation in the Natura 2000 network.
At the same time, it calls on the ministry to review and amend the current Decree on the Prohibition of Fishing and the Passage of Vessels in the Ayia Napa Sea Caves MPA (KDP 46/2023), so that its provisions are aligned with those of the relevant decrees for all other MPAs.
Source: CNA
