(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The Cyprus Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that sets the framework for a bilateral collaboration between the two organizations. The MoU was signed during a ceremony (in compliance with all COVID-19 measures) at the Cyprus Marine Aquaculture Research Center of DFMR in Meneou, by the Director of DFMR, Ms. Marina Argyrou, and the Chief Executive Officer of CMMI, Mr. Zacharias Siokouros.
The signed MoU enables both organizations to undertake joint activities in the area of marine research and in the fields of education and training, while it also fosters participation of their research and academic staff in joint research and innovation projects.
In this context, both organizations will cooperate on issues linked to the areas of fisheries and marine research. Through the sharing of ideas, scientific knowledge and expertise, DFMR and CMMI will potentially develop research programs regarding the sustainable management of fisheries, sustainable growth and promotion of aquaculture under the Common Fisheries Policy and efforts towards Blue Growth, protection and management of the marine environment and improvement of the ecological status of coastal habitats. This collaboration aims to achieve sustainability and a coordinated scientific approach regarding the implementation of national and European legislations and Directives. In addition, the Memorandum of Understanding promotes the exchange of personnel and overall collaboration between the two parties in research initiatives of common interest.
The Director of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, Ms. Marina Argyrou has expressed her gratification regarding the signing of a very promising MoU, addressing the vital importance of the island’s marine resources and the need for a unified effort towards the improvement of all fields related to marine research. She mentioned that “this collaboration reaffirms our goals regarding the enhancement of interdisciplinary collaborations related to marine research in Cyprus. I believe that a cohesive approach in evaluating the island’s complex and unique ecological process will result in the flourishment of marine resources and the improvement of scientific knowledge regarding the marine environment.”
On behalf of the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Zacharias Siokouros has highlighted his satisfaction with respect to the signing of the MoU. Moreover, he mentioned that “this MoU strengthens the excellent collaboration CMMI already has with DFMR which focuses on the development of targeted scientific actions and projects in the areas of fisheries and marine research. This will be achieved through a comprehensive scientific approach of exchanging know how and our joint involvement in innovative research projects. I am confident that the results will be tangible and will elevate Cyprus at a local and international level.” “It is among CMMI’s strategic goals”, he pointed out, “to initiate and participate in projects which aim at the sustainable management, protection and regeneration of marine and coastal ecosystems, including the protection of marine biodiversity, as well as finding solutions for the prevention and reduction of marine pollution and addressing climate change”.
About Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute – (CMMI)
Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute was established as a “Center of Excellence” in Marine and Maritime Research, Innovation and Technology Development and has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program and matching funding from the Government of the Republic of Cyprus. For more information, please refer to: www.cmmi.blue
About Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR):
The Department of Fisheries was founded in 1964 and its mandate was the development of fisheries and the rational management of marine resources in general. In the year 2000, the Department was renamed to Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) because of the significant expansion of scientific research in its various aspects of activities to broader scopes and objectives.
The mission of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research is the sustainable management and development of fisheries and aquaculture and the protection and preservation of the marine environment through an integrated scientific approach. The vision of the Department is the economic and social prosperity of the fisheries sector in Cyprus, in a clean, healthy and productive marine environment.
After 4 decades, the DFMR has presented significant work on the fields of monitoring the biotic and abiotic components of the marine environment and marine biodiversity. The department’s main research interests are, among others: fisheries and aquaculture, management and estimation of fish stocks, ecological status assessment of coastal ecosystems, population management of protected species, management of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), monitoring and surveillance of fishing activities, pollution mitigation and management of fishing grounds.
The aforementioned targets were achieved through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund which enabled the implementation of the of the country’s strategic plan for the field of fisheries in the context of the Common Fisheries Policy. Through the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the DFMR is implementing the “Thalassa” project in which many actions regarding the support of fisheries are included. For more information regarding the department and the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund you can visit: www.moa.gov.cy/dfmr and www.moa.gov.cy/thalassa
