Fisheries in Cyprus, for example, depend on a very large variety of fish which exceeds 80 species in cornparison to about 20 or so species in the North East Atlantic. No single species prevails as is the case elsewhere. Perhaps the sole exception is the sardine which we do not have in any appreciable quantities in Cyprus. Its place in the ecosystem seems to be taken

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Picarel - Marida (Spicara Smaris). This the commonest species of commercial fish in Cyprus.

over by Picarel of Marida (Maena smaris) which is the most abundant commercial fish in Cyprus. Though the Mediterranean's original fauna comes from the Atlantic Ocean its relative isolation has resulted in the evolution, over the past 5 million or so years, of several endemic species, such as the Mediterranean Monk Seal and several species of fish and other organisms. It has also led to the evolution of independent genetically isolated populations of other species, such as those of the Green and Loggerhead Turtles which entered the Mediterranean in much more recent times.

To the underwater visitor to the Cyprus seas, the bottom fauna in shallow waters is at first somewhat

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Striped Red Mullet - Barbouni (Mullus surmuletus) at about 15 metres. It uses its "whiskers" to dig in the sand for food.

disappointing. Many animals are there, however, disguised or hidden from sight. Many bury themselves in the sand, like several species of sand-urchin and star fish, the Sauries, the Weaver fish, several skates and rays and the occasional spectacular Flying Gurnard. In shallow rocky areas sea urchins predominate, grazing on algae on the rock surface. The common fish here are Peacock and Rainbow Wrasses, Two-banded Bream (Haradjida), blennies and gobbies and small Parrot Fish. Near rocks small groups of bearded Red Mullets (Barbouni) stir Up the sand for tiny shrimps.

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Red Soldier Fish - Rossos ( Holocentrus ruber). A Red Sea fish that colonised the East Mediterranean at the beginning of this century. It lives in caves.

A bit deeper, below 10 or so metres, the Posidonia oceanica meadows begin, providing a very characteristic Mediterranean seascape. Posidonia is in fact not seaweed but a flowering plant that has adapted very successfully to life in the sea.

In these meadows, which can be very extensive, fish life is rich and varied, with small wrasses, breams, sea perches, groupers and the odd Bullnose Ray. The Posidonia meadows are a vital part of the whole Mediterranean ecosystem, especially as a breeding area for many organisms.

Deeper still, usually below 15-20 metres, on sandy and muddy bottoms Caulerpa prolifera takes over from Posidonia. Caulerpa is a very characteristic small green alga, forming very extensive beds in which are found the largest bivalve shells in the Mediterranean - the Pinna of Fan Shells.

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Fan Worm (Sabella pavonina) at 30 metres.

Without a doubt, however, the most fascinating terrain is that of the deep water outcrops - the reefs below 25 or so metres. The rock itself is often invisible, being completely covered with animals and plants of various hues and forms. The lilac incrustations of Lithothamnia contrast sharply with huge, dark forms of sponges. Coral knobs house the tubes of Peacock fans. In crevices and caves colonies of white and red Fan-worms compete for space with brilliant red slime-sponges. Sponges predominate here - bright, almost luminous, orange Axinella, the finger sponges, may reach a height of one metre, some smooth, some gnarled,

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Pink tube sponge (Reneira rosea) at about 25 metres.

some tall and straight, others branched and twisted into odd shapes. Still others form lillac tubes, while flat purple-brown sponges support families of white and maroon- spotted sea slugs. Feathery, pink Aeolid sea slugs feed on plant-like colonial hydroids. Crevices and caves house Red Soldier fish and the black- eyed, red-bodied Anthias.

The opening of the Suez canal

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Dusky Grooper - Orphos ( Epinephelus guaza) at 15 metres.

last century has led to the connection of the Mediterranean with the Red Sea. For the first time the Mediterranean's pure Atlantic-origin fauna faced competition from invading Indo-Pacific animals and plants that established themselves first in the Canal and later in the Mediterranean Sea near its entrance into the Mediterranean. Several hundred species have since estabfished themselves in the Eastern Mediterranean and the number is growing fast . These Indo-Pasific species now form over 15% of

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Peacock Wrasse - Yilos ( Thalassoma pavo). This is a shallow water species.

the marine fauna of the East Mediterranean. Many species, some well known such as the Red Soldier Fish and two Siganids (Rabbit Fish), are now common in the commercial catches of Cypriot fishermen. Recent immigrants from the Red Sea are Caulerpa racemosa and Stypopodium shimperi, both algae, which (and especially Caulerpa racemosa) in the last 6-7 years have spread in a very explosive fashion, to cover very large areas of sea bed in many areas around the island. This Caulerpa racemosa is a green spaghetti-like alga which covers the sea bed in a mat a few centimetres thick competing very successfully with local species which it replaces. Apparently this species has as yet no enemies in the Mediterranean and is likely to revolutionise the whole East Mediterranean shallow water ecosystem, with far reaching effects on the native marine fauna and flora.

Fishing in Cyprus waters, as in most Mediterranean countries, is intensive with signs of local overfishing.

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Red Soldier Fish- Rossos- with a Parrot Fish - Scaros ( Scarus crelensis)

Fish production is about 3.100 tons p.a. valued at about 11 million cyprus pounds. Management measures such as closed seasons, limitations to the size of the fleet, closed areas etc., have been implemented with success. Nonetheless more remains to be done and intensive fishing inevitably has an impact on the sustainability of marine resources and on the marine biodiversity of the island.

Exotic and rare forms of wildlife give Cyprus a special touch. The Green and Loggerhead Turtles breed on the island's sandy beaches in summer. The Mediterranean Monk Seal - now on the brink of extinction - and dolphins are also protected species. Monk seals have regularly been seen, usually as single individuals, mainly off

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Finger Sponge (Axinella polypoides ) at 35 metres.

the Akamas peninsula over the last 6 years. It is estimated that there are 2- 4 individuals surviving off the coast of Cyprus. A few decades ago (in the 50s) seven colonies of monk seals existed.

Since 1978 the Department of Fisheries has been operating a Turtle Conservation/Recovery Project in the Lara-Toxeftra area, aiming at helping the ailing population of both the Green and Loggerhead turtles. Emphasis is given to the Green Turtles which are more endangered. It is estimated that about 100 Green turtles still nest on the west coast beaches while the Loggerhead nesting population is estimated at about 300 turtles, these nest mainly on the extensive Polis beaches. The turtle population was much larger in the past and it was breeding on many more beaches. Nesting turtles are tagged so that the population can be monitored, eggs are incubated under protection in situ or in the hatchery at Lara and research is carried out on turtle hatchery tecniques. About 8.000 turtle hatchlings, of both spe-cies, are released from the Lara/Toxeftra beaches every year. In situ nest protection is also now afforded to Loggerhead nests on the Polis beaches and it is estimated that with the protection given about an equal number of hatchlings reach the sea from nests on these beaches. The project is the first turtle conservation project in the Mediterranean .

Since 1989 the main Green Turtle nesting beaches in the Lara - Toxeftra area are protected by the Fisheries Legislation. Turtles and their eggs, along with the Monk seals and dolphins, have been protected under this Legislation since 1971.

Training courses in turtle conservation techniques and beach management have been held every year since 1989 for Mediterranean scientists. These trainees are sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme (Mediterranean Action Plan). The project has recently received European Union assistance as a MEDSPA project.