In a May 29 address at Larnaca’s Zenon Coordination Centre, Petrides noted that millions of tourists contributed to the over 15 million bathers enjoying Cyprus’ beaches every year.

These numbers made the provision of high quality services with safety of swimmers at their forefront, a high priority, he said.

Petrides said weaknesses and non-uniformity in the current system were anticipated to be remedied by the new plan.

“It is the first complete, encompassing Beach Safety Plan to be implemented in Cyprus and which approaches the issue in a holistic and scientific manner, taking into account the good practices used in other countries,” he said.