By Peter Stevenson
PROFESSIONAL fishermen met with President Nicos Anastasiades yesterday to object to the issuing of licences which will allow dragnets to be used in Cypriot waters.
They also announced they are cutting ties with the fisheries department and will be holding a protest outside parliament on Thursday with their families to show their opposition to the changes.
Fishery department head, Loizos Loizides said there will be a stringent process, which will be evaluated in one month, for anyone wishing to apply for a dragnet licence.
A dragnet is a net dragged along the sea bed which traps small fish and other small sea-life.
Despite Loizides’ assertions, a group of representatives met yesterday with the president to express their disapproval and concern. They believe the use of dragnets could wipe out small fish, like whitebait, which are a crucial link in the food chain.
Head of the fishermen’s association, Christodoulos Charalambous, said the government’s decision to allow dragnets could be catastrophic for the industry.
In response, Loizides said that strict rules had been put in place and fishermen would not be affected by the government’s decision.
He said the president had given him assurances that any illegalities noticed in the use of dragnets would result in licences being revoked.
“What saddens us is that the fisheries department gave out information so the public will believe they will be buying cheaper fish but unfortunately that isn’t the case,” Charalmbous said. “It will result in the end of professional fishing”.
He said he believes the profession stands no chance of survival if dragnets are brought in and 500 families will be adversely affected by the government’s decision.
“I hope the EU hears our calls as only over our dead bodies will we allow them to use dragnets,” Charalambous said.
Loizides revealed that the agriculture ministry has approved just one licence for the use of a dragnet.
“One of our terms was that the nets be placed at a depth of 50 metres and although the fishermen did not accept this we went ahead anyway because we believe at that depth it will not affect them,” he said. “It is the minister’s and the president’s assertion that if fishermen are adversely affected by dragnets then the licences will be revoked.”
The Green Party came out in support of the fishermen yesterday claiming the government’s decision could have an ecological impact.
“Preserving animals at the bottom of the food chain maintains the rest of the animals in the chain,” a statement from the Green Party said.
