The Administrative Court last week issued an interim order suspending construction works for port facilities in Pentakomo, following a legal challenge by the environmental organizations BirdLife Cyprus and Friends of the Earth Cyprus.

According to the environmental groups, this is the first time in Cyprus that an interim injunction has been issued suspending a development project solely on environmental grounds.

The court order will remain in effect until the final hearing of the appeal or until a new order is issued by the Court.

The organizations requested the injunction on the basis that the area is a vital habitat for the Mediterranean monk seal, one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world.

In a statement, the groups noted: “The works began without the required special ecological assessment, which should have thoroughly examined the impacts of both the construction and operation of the port on the monk seal’s habitat.” They further stressed that “the planned large-scale, industrial-use port serving fish farms poses an immediate threat to the species due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and significant disturbance.”

Meanwhile, the legal battle is ongoing and requires substantial financial resources.

The organizations have launched a fundraising campaign to cover legal expenses. The public can support their efforts here.