Ayia Napa,Cyprus — Many people think Cyprus has no corals, says marine ecologist Louis Hadjiannou. If climate change and coastal development continue unabated, he fears, they may soon be right.
A fisherman’s son who hails from the Mediterranean island, Hadjiannou loves to put on his wetsuit, fins, and mask and plunge off the dramatic rocks into the turquoise waters to delve into the fragile underwater world.
“It’s always an exploration,” enthuses the 38-year-old researcher, looking over the crystal clear waters of Glyko Nero near the resort of Ayia Napa on the island’s southeastern coast.
“Even if you jump in at the same spot a million times, every single time you see some…
Keep on reading: Race to save Cyprus corals from climate change, mass tourism