Zygi fishermen’s compensation plan in final assessment, Agriculture Minister Senekis says

Zygi, Cyprus. Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis said on Friday that a compensation proposal for professional fishermen in Zygi, whose access to fishing grounds has been restricted, is being finalised and will be unveiled soon. He spoke while visiting the community alongside European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis.

Meeting with local fishermen

The two officials met fishermen at the Zygi community council offices to discuss the difficulties facing the sector. Senekis described small-scale coastal fishing as essential to the local economy and to keeping a long-standing tradition alive, but said fishermen were dealing with rising operating costs and ever more limited access to fishing areas.

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He said the compensation proposal had been prepared for this reason. According to the minister, it is in its last stage of assessment and will be presented in the near future, with the aim of delivering meaningful support to professional fishermen, to small-scale coastal fishing and to its sustainability.

Access to fishing grounds

Kadis said access to fishing grounds had become a major concern, particularly because maritime developments, among them the nearby energy centre, had shrunk the areas open to local fishermen. He noted that comparable problems were being experienced throughout Europe.

He added that the European Commission was revising the directive on maritime spatial planning, with particular emphasis on protecting access to fishing grounds, especially for small-scale fishermen.

Energy costs and EU support

The commissioner also addressed higher energy costs, saying the Commission had activated a crisis mechanism under the relevant European fund. This allows member states to offer financial support to the fishing sector.

Kadis said Cyprus was among the countries that had used the provision to help fishermen coping with higher energy costs. He added that the Commission was considering extending the measure into 2027, since the existing provision covers 2026.

Fishermen’s response

Giannos Stylianou, president of Zygi’s professional fishermen, welcomed the visit. He said the talks had centred on restrictions affecting maritime space, energy costs and fuel prices.