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• The formulation and enforcement of overall fisheries policy and legislation;
• The sustainable use of marine resources,
• The development and sound management of fisheries and aquaculture
• The protection and preservation of the marine environment through an integrated scientific approach
• The European Maritime Fisheries Fund for Cyprus as a national managing authority.
• Marine ecology, the protection of endangered species and habitats;
• Preventing and combating marine pollution;
• Promoting supporting programmes to the fishermen including, inter alia, the construction of fishing shelters.
• Participating in a variety of European Union research programmes, as well as cooperating with other international research institutes.
• Constructing ,maintaining and upgrading fishing shelters;
• the maintenance of the Good Environmental Status (GES) of the marine environment of Cyprus for future generations; 
• Monitoring and assessing the environmental (ecological and chemical) status of coastal and marine waters.
• The implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive in Cyprus 
• Controlling and regulating fishing activities in accordance with the Common Fishery policy.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (Department of Fisheries and Marine Research), in cooperation with the Directorate-General for European Programmes, Coordination and Development, is the responsible authority for preparing the “Thalassa" operational programme. The Thalassa program is the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund's Operational Programme for Cyprus.