The Audit Office has laid out significant responsibilities to state authorities regarding the operation of an illegal fish farm in Trimiklini.
In a recent report, the Audit Office notes that the diversion of water to the fish farm facilities from the adjacent Kouris River is illegal, while it notes that authorities have consistently turned a blind eye to the unauthorised use of state land for private interests associated with the fish farming venture.
According to the findings, 11 state entities failed to prevent and rectify the unlawful diversion of water, construction and operation of illegal fish farms, recreational centres, and guest accommodations.
The Audit Office has recommended disciplinary investigations into the actions of relevant government departments, including the Ministries of Agriculture, the Ministry of Interior and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism.
The audited development, active for years in Trimiklini and Sylikou, has been flagged for numerous violations. These include the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation subsidising the construction of an irrigation tank for €420,000 in 2012, later repurposed as a fish farm, raising concerns of potential fraud. The report suggests filing a complaint with the European Union Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) for assessment.
The Audit Office highlighted a lack of proper permits and assessments by relevant departments, including Fisheries and Marine Research, Veterinary Services, and Environmental authorities. Despite these issues, the illegal development continued, encroaching on state land and employing areas for purposes inconsistent with lease agreements.
Of particular concern is the impact on the Kouris River protection zone, where the illegal development has significantly disrupted water conveyance capacity. Additionally, the Trimiklini water barrier, managed by the Trimiklini irrigation department, appears inadequately equipped for potential firefighting needs, possibly due to unauthorised interventions.
The Deputy Ministry of Tourism has also come under scrutiny for failing to address the operation of the illegal recreational centre and guest accommodations associated with the fish farm in the Trimiklini community.
The Audit Office also investigated the construction of a water tank in the Sylikou community in 2009, which was erected against the terms of its building permit. Reportedly, the Sylikou development is related to the same business interests which manage the fish farm in Trimiklini.
The report exposes a lack of government oversight and regulatory compliance, raising questions about the accountability of the authorities involved.
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