The recent private party at Toxeftra beach, a protected area known for its green turtle nesting sites, has led to an investigation into possible negligence by state officials. Marios Petrides, spokesman for the audit office, revealed that they are awaiting responses from the interior and agriculture ministries regarding the event that took place near the village of Peyia in the Paphos district.
Petrides stated that there are “reasonable suspicions” of a serious case of negligence, particularly in light of the environmental significance of Toxeftra beach. In a conversation with the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), he noted that the audit office received a complaint about the party the day before it occurred, prompting them to contact both the environment and fisheries departments to investigate the planned event.
Given that the timing coincided with the turtle nesting and hatching season, these communications were seen as urgent. However, Petrides expressed frustration that no preventative measures had been taken to halt the party, which he described as a potential violation of local and European laws protecting the area.
The beach is the only location in the European Union where green turtles lay their eggs, and it is listed among the specially protected areas of Mediterranean importance. Petrides emphasised that the central government should have been the authority to authorise such an event.
In response to the allegations of inaction, both the environment and fisheries departments defended their actions. Marina Argyrou, director of the fisheries department, stated that their investigation found no adverse effects on turtle nesting as a result of the party. She claimed that measures had been put in place to manage and limit any potential disruption caused by the event.
Argyrou highlighted that the lighting used during the party was not intense and did not pose a risk to the turtles, as confirmed by an on-site inspection conducted during the event. However, Theodoulos Mesimeris, director of the environment department, contradicted this claim, noting that his department’s recommendations for cancelling the event had not been followed.
As the situation unfolds, the audit office plans to evaluate the responses from the ministries and decide whether to release a new announcement or prepare a special report regarding the incident at Toxeftra beach.
