A protective sand barrier, constructed on Анапа`s beaches during the winter to shield against potential recurring oil spills, is currently being dismantled. Officials have confirmed that the spills have ceased, rendering the structure largely unnecessary. However, the process involves sifting the sand to eliminate any residual contamination.
The wall will only remain in place along a specific stretch, from the beach near the Technopolis «Era» to the mouth of the Mozhepsin River. This section is excluded because underwater cleanup operations are still ongoing in the vicinity to collect remaining oil from the seabed. Despite the visual appearance of the sea being clean, swimming and public access to the beaches continue to be prohibited.
Commenting on the situation, Roman Pukalov, Director of Environmental Programs at the public organization «Green Patrol,» explained that the closure of beaches in Anapa and some parts of the Temryuk district is due to elevated levels of petroleum products. While these levels are significantly lower than those recorded in late December or during the New Year holidays, there is still a potential risk of skin irritation or poisoning from swimming. Pukalov stated that the removal of the protective wall is overdue. He noted that the wall was primarily designed for winter storms to minimize the area affected by new spills, but severe storms are not typical for summer, and large-scale spills are no longer occurring. He also highlighted that the sandy wall itself, standing one to two meters high, contains a considerable amount of old oil residue, which must be carefully sifted and removed before the beach can be fully restored. Pukalov suggested that retaining the wall near the Mozhepsin river mouth area, bordering Vityazevo, is likely appropriate as it might serve as a temporary storage site for contaminated sand. While acknowledging the possibility of minor new spills, which contributes to the ongoing beach closures for swimming, he emphasized that the air quality in Anapa is clean, and the city`s life, including restaurants and entertainment venues, continues as normal, making it suitable for visiting, just not for bathing on the currently closed beaches.
The tourism season in Anapa is proceeding very quietly, with few tourists and many hotels closed, according to Elena Saridis, manager of the «Saridis-tour» hotel chain. She expressed hope that official clearance from Rospotrebnadzor regarding the sea`s cleanliness will eventually attract guests. Saridis confirmed the wall removal and noted that the sea looks clean, with dolphins visible, but the official prohibition on swimming is deterring potential visitors. She described the impact on the hotel business as significant, with the season feeling more like early May than peak summer. Saridis believes that a successful season is unlikely without official confirmation that the sea is safe for recreation. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic that the season has simply been delayed by about six weeks, adding that the beaches are clean with no new spills, and they are awaiting guests.
According to the operational headquarters, in addition to swimming, all forms of recreational use of the beach areas remain forbidden, including the rental of sun loungers and water attractions.
