By Ifigenia Theodoridou

The Lambousa II vessel was submerged at the Oroklini marine protected area on Saturday to enrich the site with artificial reeds.

Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said this is the third ship to be sunk in the area in the last five years, as she heralded the benefits of this practice in increasing fish stocks, as well as opportunities for diving and environmental awareness.

Speaking on board a vessel to watch the submerging of Lambousa II, Panayiotou said “today we are becoming part of an important action for marine life, ecosystem protection and the enhancement of fishing.” The area was established as a marine protected area in 2020.

At the same time, Panayiotou assured her ministry will continue to consistently implement the protection and sustainable management of marine resources, adding that in collaboration with all stakeholders, it will work to ensure that the protection of the marine environment is combined with opportunities for development and sustainable utilisation.

She added that the marine protected area of Oroklini “has limited natural reefs and its gradual enhancement contributes to the creation of more spaces for development, feeding and protection for marine life and to the increase of fish stocks.

“About five years ago, and at a distance of approximately 500 metres, in collaboration with the Larnaca Tourism Development and Promotion Company, the city’s Chamber of Commerce, and other entities, the ship Elpida was placed at a depth of 30 metres and the ship Lef1 at a depth of 14 meters.

Today, she added, Lambousa II, a 23-meter vessel, embarks on a new mission to become a haven of life on the seabed.

The vessel, which was granted to the fisheries department and marine research to be used as an artificial reef, was built in Romania in 1995, and in 2003 it was included in the Cypriot ship registry.

“Having completed its life cycle, from today it will serve as a habitat for various marine organisms.”