The construction of a port to serve the aquaculture sector in Pentakomo raises serious concerns both for environmental protection and for transparency in the project licensing process.

Despite months of pressure and calls upon the authorities from BirdLife Cyprus and other environmental organizations, and despite recommendations from the Audit Office and concerns from the Parliamentary Audit Committee, work on the new port has begun in full force. Excavators are leveling the beach and white limestone rocks, which are a vital habitat for the Mediterranean Monk Seal, one of the most endangered mammals in the world. This project will irreparably destroy its habitat, on one of the main coastlines in Cyprus used by the Mediterranean Monk Seal for breeding, nursing, resting, and feeding.

We are taking this to court
We are not standing idly by. We have already filed two legal appeals: one to annul the environmental permit and one to cancel the relevant urban planning permit. We have also applied for the issuance of an interim court order to halt the works before irreversible damage is caused. We are following the example of other successful legal actions by organizations such as ClientEarth in Poland, Greenpeace in Spain, and WWF in Greece, who managed to stop environmentally destructive projects.

To continue our fight, we must cover legal expenses: fees for specialized lawyers, technical studies, expert opinions, court fees, and all necessary documentation. Our goal is to raise €20,000 to cover these costs.

Every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to environmental justice and accountability. Click here to support our legal battle.
 
Why this battle matters
This legal appeal, the first ever filed by BirdLife Cyprus together with Friends of the Earth Cyprus, is not just about Pentakomo and the globally endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal. It is a landmark for the protection of the natural environment in Cyprus and for ensuring the proper implementation of European and national legislation.