The construction of two docks on the coastal front is expected to proceed with the Municipality of Ayia Napa, giving the opportunity to pedestrian users to access the sea without the existing risk of accidents due to the rocky inaccessible landscape of the beach, which extends along the coastal front. . Accidents that have occurred repeatedly in the past in the effort mainly of tourists to reach the water crossing the inaccessible and dangerous rocks.
A relevant application for the construction of the two docks within the sea area was sent by the Department of Urban Planning and Housing to the Department of Environment, in the context of the first phase of the upgrade works of the coastal front. The project is located in the Municipality of Ayia Napa at two points on the Coastal Front west of the fishing shelter of Ayia Napa in the direction of Nissi beach.
The project of the two docks was included in the application for the coastal walkway of the pedestrian / bicycle path with a total width of 5 meters and a length of 2.850 meters. A positive opinion was issued for the project by the Environmental Authority on 29/11/2016 with a negative suggestion for the licensing of the two docks, due to the fact that their construction and operation had negative effects on the marine environment and specifically on the reef with biocommunities of the species. Vermetous and Cystoseira. Both the location of the two docks, and in general the proposed construction and operation (piles on Vermetus, lighting, etc.) were judged to have a negative impact on Vermetus species.
As a result, the Municipality of Ayia Napa, in an effort not to affect the protected species from the project, submitted a new Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (PEEP) with a suggestion for changes in the location, in a way that largely avoids the impact of Vermetus species, while suggestions are made for new piling methods, in order to ensure the non-crushing of the rocks that host the species. The lighting is also modified in such a way that less light is emitted and directed upwards only for the hours when this will be necessary.
At the request of the Environmental Authority, a Study of Ecological Assessment and Description of the Marine Substrate of the Areas where the docks will be constructed was also submitted.
The docks and platforms on request to and into the sea, aim to provide public access to the sea and are located at two points between the fishing shelter Ag. Napa and Nissi Beach Hotel. The land part of the constructions is located within the protection zone of the beach.
Pedestrian, Bicycle and Beach Volleyball courts
The pedestrian / bicycle path in Ayia Napa occupies the coastal front west of the Ayia Napa fishing shelter in the direction of Nisi beach. The starting point of the project is the parking lot of the already constructed urban planning project of the renovation of the Ayia Napa fishing shelter, which is located to the east of the project. The project is expected to cost a total of € 6,5 million (€ 3,5 million in Phase A and € 3 million in Phase B) and will be built exactly on the site of the existing sidewalk that was built 25 years ago.
The project includes the coastal walkway of a total width of 5 meters and a length of 2.850 meters, 3 playgrounds / playgrounds, flower garden with endemic flora, nature observatories, courts with international standards for beach volley, beach soccer, and skate park, parking space of the whole project where there is access to and from the existing road network, as well as urban equipment that includes benches, waste baskets, drinking water taps, public showers, shelters, changing rooms / toilets.
Effects on the environment
In area 1 (east pier) as mentioned above there is a rocky substrate and Vermetus reefs. After field research in the field, the area that is considered most suitable for the installation of the dock is mainly sandy. Piles may locally affect a small portion of the rock substrate. Other species in the area may not be affected. In this area the pier has been moved, from its original location, to be placed at a point where the impact of substrates and reefs is reduced to a maximum.
In area 2 (west pier) where pier 2 will be built there are no important species so serious consequences are avoided.
The underwater installation of the piles may create noise and vibrations. Noise emitted by such tasks is considered low frequency. The effects that can occur are mainly on the fish and may be, causing panic, changing routes and places to find food so as to avoid areas with high noise levels. However, many modern studies show that marine organisms show great adaptability to high noise levels.
The above effects are considered short-term and local, since at the end of the work they will be significantly mitigated or will disappear.
The construction of the project is also proposed for the optimization of the area. The placement of the docks will alter the image of the coastal landscape.
The reduction of light intensity in the water column results from the construction of the dock. Shading is only local where there will be a reduction in light transmission. This results in a reduction in the productivity of phytoplankton and flora. That is, reduction of the photosynthesis of the macroalgae photophytes that will be under the constructions.
The artificial lighting with LED was proposed to be installed on the railings of the dock and the light will not enter the water column as it will shine exclusively on the dock.
The Environmental Authority recommends the promotion of the project, subject to the application of specific conditions set.
The presence of vermetus and cystoseira species in the area, in combination with the construction of the docks, require proper design and use of construction methods that will not adversely affect the species. In the case of the west pier with no. 2, it is found that its location does not affect the specific species, while in the case of the east pier with no. 1, the new site location proposal greatly reduces the impact of vermetus species.
Source: Phileleftheros / Angelos Nikolaou