Lesvos fishermen to strike and blockade Mytilene port on October 11

Coastal fishermen in Lesvos, Greece, have announced a strike and a blockade of vessels in the port of Mytilene starting October 11. Approximately 700 professional fishing boats from the East and West Lesvos associations will cease all activities as part of nationwide protests.

The strike is driven by four primary economic and operational pressures: rising fuel costs, declining fish stocks, the mandatory installation of Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) even for small boats operating near the coast, and significant equipment damage caused by marine mammals.

Nikos Vaxevanis, president of the East Lesvos Coastal and Professional Fisheries Association ‘Agios Nikolaos’, noted that while subsidies for equipment damage have been announced, strict and unfair conditions prevent the funds from reaching those in need. The protest is expected to disrupt local supply chains and lead to shortages of various fish species in the market, including anchovies, cod, and sardines.