Paphos fishermen on Sunday complained of a lack of support, poor infrastructure and crippling limitations on their ability to fish imposed on them by the municipality and the Ports Authority.

President of the Paphos Coastal Fishing Association Leonidas Leonidou said the time limits set on them – of finishing by 10am in the summer and 11am in the winter – mean they are not able to take out as much equipment and can therefore catch fewer fish.

Professional fishermen are struggling to survive, he said.

A lack of infrastructure means fishermen are forced to park 500m away from their boat which is not only inconvenient but also means their nets, which cost €400 each, are at risk of being stolen.

The shipyard where their boats are kept also need maintenance, he said, as does the slipway. Due to strong winds and large waves, especially during the winter season, waves enter the port and create serious dangers for their boats, he added.

He also called for the creation of an area from which they would be able to directly sell their catch to the public.

He said the fact their livelihood is covered by various department – the Paphos municipality, the Ports Authority and the department of antiquities – from one to the other of which they are continually sent, “nothing has been done so far”.

He said the number of fishermen who work out of Paphos has now dropped to around 35.