Cyprus marine ecosystem has an enormous importance, Environment Commissioner Antonia Theodosiou said on Thursday, addressing an event at Frederick University. She moreover said that increasing pressures on the environment threatens to destroy various habitats and biodiversity, including marine protected species. According to the Commissioner, Cyprus currently has seven marine areas included in the Natura2000 Network, around 130 square kilometers of protected coastal areas and over 8,000 square kilometers protected offshore. She noted that the Mediterranean seal is Europe's number one endangered marine mammal, the rarest of the 33 seal species in the world. She said that through learning and education we can contribute to achieving sustainability, adding that it is very encouraging to see young people creating in the field of environmental education. Theodosiou referred to the Akamas peninsula where one can find the Mediterranean monk seal Monachus monachus. She said that there are about 800 seals left worl dwide. She also talked about the caretta caretta sea turtles found on Akamas as well as underwater caves with unique biocommunities. Source: Cyprus News Agency