There is a dwindling stock of fish in Cyprus, the fishers’ association in Paphos warned on Thursday, amid calls to better protect the profession.

Speaking to CNA, head of the fishers’ association Leonidas Leonidou said certain fish species are almost extinct, which runs the risk of erasing the profession of fishers.

He did not specify which species were at risk of extinction but said technology, sea pollution, overfishing and illegal fishing were putting the profession in danger.

“We’ve been working at sea for years and we see what we used to dish and what we dish now. We are duty-bound to inform the state and through dialogue find solutions to keep the profession alive and hand it to the next generations in a healthy form.”

Leonidou said fishers in Paphos were facing more challenges than those in other cities as they have a fixed timetable they must adhere to.

They can use the Kato Paphos port up until 10am in the summer and 11am in the winter. Fishers can’t finish work until the certain time.

There are also issues with parking as well as the port’s entrance and exit sites for boats at the port.

Leonidou stressed they have been highlighting these issues for years but nothing has happened yet.