Greek seas: Over 6,000 cement blocks and 11,700 ropes recovered from marine pollution

Since 2019, the ‘Fishing For Litter’ program has recovered over 6,000 cement blocks and 11,700 synthetic ropes from Greek waters. These items are primarily discarded by illegal night-time ‘giri-giri’ fishermen who use them as anchors and gear.

Most of the pollution has been identified in the Evvoikos Gulf, the Thracian Sea, and the Thermaic Gulf. Through the collaborative efforts of the iSea environmental organization and the Athanasios K. Laskarakis Charitable Foundation, participating fishermen have removed more than 360 tons of waste from deep-sea environments. Approximately 83% of the total waste collected consists of plastics, while 34% is comprised of abandoned fishing equipment.

Environmental advocates are calling for stricter inspections, increased maritime policing, and a revision of the legal framework regarding equipment used by night-time fishermen to protect benthic ecosystems and marine biodiversity.