Department of Fisheries and Marine Research
Building capacity for REStoring POSidonia oceanica meadows of Cyprus (ResPos)
Posidonia oceanica is a seagrass species that is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea. It sequesters more carbon than any other seagrass species, reduces beach erosion, purifies the water, recycles nutrients, is home to thousands of species, sustains local fisheries and recreation. Recent surveys revealed that meadows around Cyprus have the highest shoot densities and possibly the deepest lower limits reported in the literature, raising the conservation value of these climate-resilient meadows. However, side scan sonar mapping also indicated areas with extensive dead matte especially around the port of Limassol.
Coastal modifications and pollution, dredging, ports and marinas, pipe laying, illegal trawling, anchoring, invasive species and climate change threaten the integrity of seagrass meadows in Limassol Bay. Recent local die-offs have also been documented by citizen-scientists.
ResPos brings together the responsible authority, marine scientists and consultants, a municipality and academics that ensures effective and direct uptake of nature-based solutions to restore seagrass meadows of Cyprus using an ecosystem-based management approach. This project is fully aligned with the EU Mission to Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030, by empowering and collaborating with engaged stakeholders and delivering innovative nature-based solutions to guide effective governance.
ResPos main aim is to exchange with A-AAgora demonstration sites and co-develop the foundations of a seagrass restoration hub in the Eastern Mediterranean, a Lighthouse at EU’s easternmost region. The objectives are to: (i) actively involve Cypriot managers and marine biologists in A-AAgora workshops, training activities and capacity-building sessions, (ii) engage the local community to identify restoration needs, (iii) select and pilot test A-AAgora tools and adapt them to the local conditions, (iv) develop blueprint and business roadmaps for scaling-up A-AAgora nature-based solutions using an ecosystem-based management approach to restore degraded seagrass meadows across Cyprus.
Team member
Melina Marcou
Role: Project manager
Expertise: Fisheries and Marine Research Officer at Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR)
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment
Dr Demetris Kletou
Role: Scientific Coordinator
Marine Biologist / Ecologist at Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab, research and consulting SME
Penelope Vasquez Hadjilyra
Role: Project implementation
General Coordinator
European Mission at Limassol Municipality
Dr. Angelos Menelaou
Role: Project implementation
Associate Professor and Head of Department of Maritime Transport and Commerce at Frederick University
Giannis Ioannou
Role: Project implementation
Fisheries and Marine Research Officer
Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR)
Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment
Dr Periklis Kleitou
Role: Project implementation
Marine scientist at Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab
Christina Kakoulli
Role: Project implementation
Junior marine scientist at Marine & Environmental Research (MER) Lab