Terra Cypria has warned of growing threats to the endangered Mediterranean monk seal at the sea caves of Ayia Napa, calling for stronger protection of one of Cyprus’ most important habitats for the species.
The environmental foundation said human activities in the area, including boat traffic, anchoring, disturbance of the animals and illegal fishing, were placing pressure on the marine environment.
The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) is the rarest of the world’s 33 seal species and is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. It is also considered Europe’s most threatened marine mammal.
Around 20 monk seals estimated in Cyprus
According to Terra Cypria, the global population of Mediterranean monk seals is estimated at around 1,000 animals, with approximately half living in Greek waters.
Cyprus is estimated to be home to around 20 to 22 seals, based on figures from 2025.
The sea caves at Cape Greco in Ayia Napa are among the species’ most important habitats on the island and support one of the largest local subpopulations, the foundation said.
However, restrictions on the passage and anchoring of boats and other watercraft in the marine protected area apply only from November 1 to April 30 each year.
Following a visit to the area in October, Terra Cypria reported significant pressures linked to human activity.
These included recreational boats passing through or anchoring in the area, people disturbing the seals, entering the sea caves, accessing the prominent sea arch, illegal fishing and construction along the coastline.
Calls for stronger marine protection
Terra Cypria welcomed the Agriculture Ministry’s submission of an official proposal to the European Commission to include the Ayia Napa Sea Caves marine protected area in Cyprus’s list of sites of environmental importance.
The proposal would extend the Natura 2000 network’s Cape Greco Special Area of Conservation to cover the area.
However, the foundation also called on the ministry to revise and amend the existing decree governing fishing and boat traffic in the marine protected area, known as KDP 46/2023.
It said the rules should be aligned with the corresponding provisions applying to Cyprus’s other marine protected areas.
The call comes amid concerns that seasonal restrictions may not be sufficient to protect the seals from disturbance and other human pressures throughout the year.
Also read: Ecologists call for urgent probe into pollution at Larnaca Salt Lake
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