Greece promotes fishing tourism to boost fisher incomes

Fishing tourism is being promoted in Greece as a new source of supplementary income for professional fishers, particularly in coastal and island regions. The initiative aims to connect traditional maritime activities with tourism and gastronomy, allowing fishers to use their vessels and expertise to offer experiential tours to visitors.

Spyros Protopsaltis, General Secretary of Rural Development and Food, stated that the goal is to help fishers bolster their income, remain in the profession, and pass traditions to younger generations. This strategy seeks to encourage young people to remain in their local communities.

The Ministry of Rural Development and Food is supporting this transition through the "Fisheries, Aquaculture and Sea" Program 2021-2027. Under Specific Objective 3.1, funding is available for sustainable blue economy actions, including fishing, experiential, and diving tourism. Grants cover the modernization of vessels to accommodate passengers, the purchase of necessary equipment, and improvements to safety, hygiene, and infrastructure.