Krasnodar, 30 May – Yug Times. As of June 1, all beaches in Russia’s Krasnodar region—except those in Anapa—must obtain safety compliance reports from the national consumer safety watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor. Currently, 141 beaches in Anapa and 9 in the Temriuk district remain closed due to contamination from a December 2024 tanker fuel oil spill. Authorities are urging tourists to consider alternative leisure options such as wine and culinary tours.
The start of the beach season in Anapa, originally set for May 17 with the “Vinograd” (Grapes) food and wine festival, has been postponed. Ongoing oil traces found in sand and seawater have led to delays, and no firm date has been announced for the season’s opening. Rospotrebnadzor has declared Anapa’s coastal zones and seawaters unfit for recreational use, though drinking water, seafood, and air quality remain safe. In contrast, Crimea and Sevastopol are reported as free from marine pollution.
In response, the regional government has suspended tourist taxes in affected areas and allocated funds to support local children's camps, many of which remain operational with pools and inland programs. Legal action continues against tanker owners involved in the spill, with claims now exceeding 545 million roubles.
Meanwhile, authorities are promoting agrotourism as an alternative. Over 100 rural tourism sites—including vineyards, farms, and eco-ranches—operate in the region. Experts project a 7–10% growth in this sector in 2025. However, wine tourism alone cannot absorb Anapa’s typical 5.5 million annual visitors due to limited accommodations and niche appeal.
Restoration of the beaches is underway, with a plan to replace over 800,000 cubic metres of sand by May 2026.
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