Professional fishermen are reacting to the design of national marine parks in Greek territorial waters, arguing that their creation leads to a substantial ban on fishing in extensive areas.
The president of the “Aegean” Fishing Association, Vangelis Arapakis, who represents owners of trawlers and gri-gri boats, stated to APE-MPE that fishermen are not opposed to the protection of the marine environment, but to the “complete removal of professional fishing from within the parks”.
“Today, in the maritime territory, trawler fishing is banned in 57% of specific areas. With the design of the marine parks, another 30% is added. The ban will reach 87%,” he characteristically noted.
Simultaneously, Mr. Arapakis spoke of “uncontrolled and anarchic activity” by Turkish fishing vessels, particularly in the islands of the eastern Aegean.
As he emphasized, “their Turkish colleagues do not implement the legislation and in many cases come as close as 300 meters from the Greek coasts,” causing damage to Greek coastal vessels, such as the destruction of nets and fish traps.
Fishermen’s representatives are expected to meet within the day with the general secretary of the Ministry of Shipping, Vangelis Kyriazopoulos, and the general secretary of Natural Environment and Waters of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Petros Varelidis, in order to request changes to the design and to secure, as they say, “the survival of professional fishing in the Aegean”.
Until the meeting is concluded, the trawlers will remain in the port of Piraeus.
