# Marine pollution from illegal fishing in Greece > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/marine-pollution-from-illegal-fishing-in-greece > Updated: 2026-09-16T07:02:08.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. Since 2019, the ‘Fishing For Litter’ programme—a partnership between the iSea environmental organization and the Athanasios K. Laskarakis Charitable Foundation—has worked to remove marine debris from Greek waters. Participating fishermen have recovered more than 6,000 cement or concrete blocks and approximately 11,700 synthetic ropes, totaling over 360 tonnes of waste. The pollution is primarily linked to illegal night-time fishing practices using traditional ‘giri-giri’ or ‘gri-gri’ boats. These vessels use light devices, sometimes called ‘robots’, to attract fish; however, the anchors and gear used to stabilize these devices are frequently abandoned on the seabed rather than being retrieved. Waste concentrations are highest in the Evvoikos (Euboean) Gulf, the Thracian Sea, and the Thermaic Gulf. Of the total waste collected, approximately 83% consists of plastics and 34% is comprised of abandoned fishing equipment. The programme has expanded to include 67 fishing vessels, while environmental advocates continue to call for increased maritime policing and stricter legal frameworks to protect marine biodiversity. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-16: Greek fishermen recover thousands of concrete blocks from seabed Since 2019, the Fishing For Litter programme has recovered over 6,000 concrete blocks and 11,700 ropes from Greek waters, targeting waste left by illegal night-time fishing practices. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-fishermen-recover-thousands-of-concrete-blocks-from-seabed ### 2026-09-13: Greek seas: Over 6,000 cement blocks and 11,700 ropes recovered from marine pollution The ‘Fishing For Litter’ program has recovered over 6,000 cement blocks and 11,700 ropes from Greek seas since 2019, targeting pollution caused by illegal night-time fishing practices. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/greek-seas-over-6000-cement-blocks-and-11700-ropes-recovered-from-marine-pollution --- Cite as: Marine pollution from illegal fishing in Greece. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/marine-pollution-from-illegal-fishing-in-greece