On 24 September 2024, the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) hosted the public launch event for the EU-funded PUREEF-Y project. The event took place at the Multi-functional Center for Social Activities and Welfare of the Larnaca Municipality.

It is a widely known reality that the Eastern Mediterranean has warmed faster than most other regions, affecting marine biodiversity and ecosystem function. In Cyprus, there is a greater need to better understand the impacts of climate change on the marine environment and to develop strategies, based on good practices inspired by international cooperation, for the effective management and protection of the vulnerable marine ecosystems in Cypriot waters.

Mr. Zacharias Sioukouros, CEO of CMMI, opened the event, highlighting the significance of the project since the capacity to carry out such studies in Cyprus, which is so severely impacted by climate change, is currently missing, both in terms of knowledge and infrastructure. Following his remarks, Ms. Gotelenne Piaton (CMMI), the Project Coordinator, delivered an overview of the project.

The highlight of the event was a panel discussion on the “Impact of Marine Heatwaves”, chaired by Dr. Daniel Hayes, Director of the Marine Sciences Division of CMMI. The panel was comprised of experts from all three partners institutions, Prof. Patrizia Ziveri (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona), Prof. Gil Rilov (Israel Oceanographic & Limnological Research), and Dr. Louis Hadjioannou (Cyprus Matine and Maritime Institute), who addressed questions, offering insights to scientists and the public into the challenges and solutions for mitigating the impacts of heatwaves on marine ecosystems.

The event concluded with a cocktail reception, providing attendees with an opportunity to further discussions, network and foster collaborations that will strengthen Cyprus’s role in marine environmental protection.