Presentation of the Management Plan for the control of the hare population (Lagocephalus sceleratus) known to fishermen as "rabbit fish" in the coastal waters of Cyprus was made today at a press conference by the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Sophro The aim of the Plan is to combat hare in the coastal zone of Cyprus, through the implementation of a series of actions that will be co-financed by the Operational Fisheries Program 2007-2013. As mentioned, the term 'fight' does not mean the complete extinction of the species from the area, but the reduction of its population to such an extent that it is no longer a prohibitive element for the development of coastal fishing, but also contributes to the improvement working conditions for those involved.
The Management Plan includes two actions. The first concerns the fight against hare by collective groups of fishermen and is related to the exercise of intense fishing pressure on the breeding population of the species, shortly before and during the breeding season in the main breeding areas of the species, by the coastal professional fleet of Cyprus. The second action concerns the control of hare by testing alternative types of fisheries management techniques. As part of the second action, the proposed pilot project will concern the possibility of renting a purse seine vessel for the purpose of targeted mass hare fishing.
The Management Plan was approved by the European Commission in February 2012 and, subsequently, the Intermediate Fisheries Agency launched a call for applications on 5 March 2012 under the 'Framework Plan for Collective Action in the Fisheries Sector'. Beneficiaries are 'collective groups' of fishermen (ie recognized local professional coastal fishing associations), which represent the collective interest of their industry. The remuneration of the beneficiary collective group that will be included in the Plan for financing will be proportional to the total weight of the hares that will be caught, which will have to be channeled to an authorized waste management company.
Specifically, the amount of three euros per kilo will be paid. The financing of the collective groups amounts to 100% public expenditure. The payment of the financing will be made to the legal representative of the beneficiary collective team by the delivery of the paid invoices and receipts of destruction of the fish by the licensed company.
The total budget of the invitation is 300.000 euros. The projects are co-financed by 50% by the European Fisheries Fund and by 50% by the Republic of Cyprus. The applications are submitted from Monday, March 5 until Thursday, July 5, 2012, at the Head Office of TATHE ".
Responding to a reporter's question about whether the problem is expected to be reduced through the implementation of actions and catching hare, the Minister said that the problem will be significantly reduced if the hare is caught during its breeding season.
Source: iKypros.com