Skrekas for hydrocarbon exploration in the Gulf of Kyparissia: All protection measures have been taken

“Measures have been taken to preserve this ecologically sensitive area and marine species,” said the Minister of Environment and Energy, Costas Skrekas, answering a topical question by Kriton Arsenis about the “hidden seismic surveys of Cypriot oil” ».

“Measures have been taken to preserve this ecologically sensitive area and the marine species, sea turtles and cetaceans that live there, as seismic surveys are carried out using sounding methods, ie methods that do not endanger their species “, said the Minister of Environment and informed the MP that:

With the suggestion of the Environmental Licensing Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy to EDEY, the Hellenic Hydrocarbon Company, there is acceptance of the environmental action plan for the geophysical research program in the sea area of ​​the Gulf of Kyparissia, ie the so-called Block 10, Block 10. This environmental action plan includes and implements all the envisaged measures that comply with the international conventions MARPOL and ACCOBAMS, as well as the instructions of the Management Organization of Protected Sites, while in addition measures have been adopted in excess of the best international standards through the implementation of “Mr. Skrekas said, emphasizing that a double exclusion zone has been provided, a doubling of marine mammal observers, to ensure that they will not receive any disturbance that would endanger their livelihood. “Therefore, it is ensured that any significant impact on the bay environment is avoided in terms of impacts on sensitive species, such as cetaceans and sea turtles,” the minister said, adding that the Environmental Licensing Directorate had sent the environmental action plan. and has informed about the geophysical research in the marine area of ​​the Gulf of Kyparissia the bodies and services involved.

Earlier, MERA25 MP Kriton Arsenis had accused the government of secretly launching seismic investigations into the “home” of the whale and whale blowers. “Seismic surveys are done at 250 decibels, when the study from the journal Nature, which I hope you know, is the most authoritative scientific journal on the environment, explains that 230 decibels is enough to dissolve the internal organs of these animals and to have the mass bursts of zephyr, as we have in many cases with the military exercises, which are done at 230. You do it at 250. You do it secretly. You have not informed the Local Government, the management body has not been informed, the appropriate procedures have not been followed. You do it within walking distance from the protected area of ​​Kyparissiakos, on the borders and on the wetland of world importance for the zifio, for the bellows, which is the Greek Trench. According to ACCOBAMS, this international agreement we have signed as a country is a critical habitat. So does the IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature. “We call on you to stop the crime in Kyparissia today”, said the MP of MERA25.

Mr. Arsenis complained that ACCOBAMS is not observed, which says that seismic surveys should not be carried out in cetacean habitats. “You go to the main habitat of the Mediterranean, the Greek moat, which is protected by ACCOBAMS, which is protected by IUCN and there you do seismic research. “You are violating the principle, the first point of the ACCOBAMS guidelines”, said the MP and added: “What are the terrible measures that you have taken? Visual monitoring half an hour before the start of seismic surveys? Are these the terrible measures you have taken or maybe the one kilometer from protected areas? You are violating all our international agreements. You must stop this crime in Kyparissiakos. “There can be no mobilization of your government for one zephyr and then” bombard “the place where all the zifs are, their main residence, with frequencies higher than what the scientific studies say”.

“We are doing even more than what is provided in the best international practices for conducting such research”, the Minister of Environment and Energy objected and insisted that the competent environmental service, the Environmental Licensing Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, has , the environmental action plan concerning the execution of seismic surveys for the specific area, for the geophysical research in the Gulf of Kyparissia, in Plot 10, at the Management Body of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, at the Wetlands Management Agency Kotychipou Of Natural Environment and Biodiversity, in the Department of Protected Areas, in the Ministry of National Defense, in GEETHA in C2 Directorate, in the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy, in the Headquarters of the Hellenic Coast Guard, in the Ministry of Shipping, in the of Marine Antiquities at the Department of Marine Archaeological Sites of Monuments and Research and finally in the Decentralized Administration of the Peloponnese of Western Greece and the Ionian

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