Hunters threatened to block major roads if their demands for stricter anti-poaching measures are not met by February 1, following a protest outside the Presidential Palace on Saturday.
The demonstrators, including hunters and fishermen from across Cyprus, submitted a memorandum calling for immediate government action on poaching enforcement.
Nicolas Prodromou, leader of the Cyprus Hunters’ Movement, demanded lifetime hunting and driving licence revocations and imprisonment for poachers. He also called for the dismissal of the current Game and Fauna Service chief.
“If our demands are not implemented by February 1, we and all these wonderful people will be on the front line to paralyse every crucial point”, Prodromou told the gathered protesters.
The hunters are also seeking reinforcement of the anti-poaching unit of MAAD with additional personnel and equipment, and legislation to regulate the development of solar parks.
The Angry Hunters group, the Cyprus Hunting SOS platform, and the Amateur Fishermen’s Association joined the protest, raising concerns about high licence fees.
A representative claimed that 130 million euros in licence fees collected over 24 years should be accounted for regarding wildlife protection and game population enhancement.
“Our concern is the game, which is wealth for our country, the endemic game”, the representative said, adding that only sporadic, ineffective measures had been implemented over the past 24 years.
(information from CNA)
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