August saw the initiation of the SPOTLight on Sustainable Fisheries project in Cyprus.
Working with artisanal fishing communities in the northern part of Cyprus and target groups across the island, the SPOTLight project will mobilise stakeholders on the implementation of fishery policy, strengthen fishery research, valorise sustainable seafood and investigate traceability issues in seafood supply chains. Across two years, the action aims to strengthen the contribution of Cyprus to the European Union’s Green Deal.
Project actions include:
- Strengthening an onboard observer programme
- Advocacy on fisheries policy
- MPA management information exchange
- All-island consumer engagement on sustainable seafood
- Investigative film on sustainable seafood supply chains
- Mobilising implementation of enforcement systems in No Take Zones
Funded by the European Union under the Aid Programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, the project is led by SPOT Marine Life in partnership with Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre and with support of BlueSeeds.
It will complement the Rewild Cyprus project, a Seascape Restoration Grant supported by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme which is also getting underway this month.
This month Yedidalga (Potamos tou Kampou) fishers were informed of SPOT’s upcoming projects during a workshop as part of the Mediterranean Angel Shark Project (Credit: Ceren Sertuğ).
SPOTLight project will work to inform consumers about sustainable seafood choices and will investigate seafood supply chain inadequacies that threaten fisher access to eco labelling schemes.
The project will support implementation of new No Take Zones such as Alagadi (Alakati), while Rewild Cyprus delivers monitoring of ecosystem recovery using BRUVS (Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems) and spillover effects through fisheries monitoring.