Aitoliko Lagoon: Residents and fishermen protest ecological crisis

Residents and professional fishermen of the Aitoliko Lagoon have launched protests, including symbolic blockades of local bridges, to demand urgent action against severe ecosystem degradation. The community is reporting critical levels of eutrophication, a process where excessive nutrients from agricultural, industrial, and domestic waste cause algae and phytoplankton to multiply rapidly.

This phenomenon depletes oxygen in the water, leading to mass fish deaths and the release of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas. The resulting odor is described as highly offensive and potentially dangerous, with risks ranging from respiratory issues and headaches to more severe neurological effects.

In response to the crisis, Nikos Papanastasis, a Member of Parliament for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), submitted formal questions to the Ministers of Environment and Energy and Rural Development and Food. The inquiry highlights the failure of previous and current government administrations to address the long-standing issue of malfunctioning biological treatment systems and drainage flows. Local representatives and fishing union leaders are calling for immediate inspections and a clear, effective plan to manage organic loads and restore the lagoon's health.