AN OLD war ship donated by the ministry of defence was scuttled on Saturday off the coast of Ayia Napa to form a new artificial reef.
Minister of Agriculture Nicos Kouyialis said the scuttling of the vessel, the Kyrenia, was part of the government's blue growth policy to promote marine tourism in the area.
This is the fifth artificial reef created in Cyprus, following the scuttling of vessels in Paralimni, Paphos and Limassol which make popular diving sites.
“Our goal is to enrich the tourist product, to give the opportunity to the residents of coastal areas to engage in other marine activities, to increase their income, and also to boost development in the coastal areas,” he said.
Ayia Napa Mayor Yiannis Karoussos said the artificial reef and another in Protaras would bring more than 20,000 tourists to the area in the coming years, generating an income of approximately 30 million euros.
“This is a worthy investment which must continue, ” he said.
The project is co-funded by the EU and the Republic of Cyprus
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