Limassol, Cyprus. Several Limassol beaches, including Dasoudi and high-traffic municipal sections of the city seafront, were not submitted for Blue Flag certification in 2026 following reported pollution concerns. Residents have continued to report discoloured water, foam and possible offshore pollution near the coast.
Blue Flag applications
The wider Limassol district had 19 Blue Flag sites in 2024, 14 in 2025 and five in 2026. The 2026 sites are Pissouri, Kourion, Parekklisia, Governor’s Beach and Limassol Marina.
According to Cymepa’s National Blue Flag Jury, the municipalities agreed in advance not to submit the city seafront stretches and Dasoudi because of pollution reported in the previous year and an assessment that certification could not be achieved.
Responsibility for pollution
Responsibility for marine pollution remains disputed among authorities. The Environment Department, Water Development Department and Sewerage Board have primarily identified ships as a possible source, while the deputy shipping ministry, which is coordinating the response, has pointed substantially to land-based sources.
A scientific adviser to the deputy shipping ministry said that 53 per cent of recorded pollution incidents in 2023 and 2024 had no identified source. Of the documented cases, 13 per cent resulted in a fine.
Resident reports and monitoring
Residents have been monitoring the coastline and sharing reports of south winds, foam near the shore and vessels allegedly operating bilge pumps for extended periods near Dasoudi. Such reports do not establish the cause of pollution, which may include organic material disturbed by waves, detergent runoff, wastewater or discharges from offshore vessels.
Official monitoring is carried out by a limited number of inspectors and includes one or two tests a month, according to the article.
Municipal role
The Limassol municipality has received public frustration over the condition of the coastline, although it does not oversee shipping or maritime permitting. The mayor of Limassol has previously spoken about environmental issues and participated in seafront clean-ups.
The respective responsibilities of municipal, national and maritime authorities remain unresolved.
