Following on the presentation of the 1st Phase of the Master Plan for the port of Paros, the Municipality of Paros, presented relevant information regarding the studies and the timetable for the implementation of the new commercial port of Paros at the location KAMINAKI, in very close proximity to Marpissa and Piso Livadi!

Kaminaki is located in the heart of a touristic area, Piso Livadi, which is a small traditional harbor facing the hill of Kefalos with its 18th century Byzantine monastery of Agios Antonios (1597) and the ancient ruins of the Venetian castle. The surrounding areas including that of Kaminaki are environmentally protected (NATURA), which contain endless natural beauty overlooking Naxos island and the open Aegean sea.

Kaminaki’s development into a commercial port will lead to serious ecological, environmental damage to all of these areas. The popular touristic area of Piso Livadi and its harbor, only a few meters away, has several hotels and land houses with many private investments.

Building the commercial port will have a huge negative impact to the mainland and sea life (including kareta-kareta turtle, seals etc) stretching across the coast line from Molos to Kaminaki, Piso Livadi, Logaras, Golden Beach and to Dryos .

The entire morphology of this area will have to change, by the excavation of the land to open new road and streets throughout the natural reserves, with heavy vehicles passing through and with noise from the loading and unloading of marble dust by the tracks. Those who have already visited Kaminaki are well aware of what implications a commercial port will have to the natural surroundings and the community.

It is no coincidence that the residents of Molos area (Marmara village) have stopped this project (as had been initially planned to be made there) by appealing to the Council of State and won the case. As a result Paros Municipality revised their plan and decided to move the project to be developed in Kaminaki (part of the same coast line).

Since our Mayor grew up and lived in Marpissa he knows the area well and can have a pure understanding and knowledge of what this text describes here. Yet we struggle to understand how such as decision has been made, that of Kaminaki to qualify as the appropriate location for moving the Commercial Port of Paros from Paroikia to the other side of the island that is a NATURA area and a landmark of historic and touristic importance yet unspoiled by the mass tourism.