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The vessel of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) Ocean Sentinel, which arrived yesterday in Amorgos, was visited by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, during his visit to the island, as part of the implementation of the Presidential Decree established following the initiative “Amorgorama”.
“We are here because today the Presidential Decree for “Amorgorama” comes into effect. This is an emblematic initiative of the fishermen of Amorgos, which imposes restrictions on fishing in order to protect the marine wealth of the island. It is an initiative that started collectively from the fishermen, found support from the local community, the mayor, the municipality, and all the islanders. It also had the assistance of civil society, the Cyclades Preservation Fund, and the Blue Marine Foundation, as well as support from the State, from the Ministry of Rural Development, from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and from the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy,” emphasized Mr. Papastavrou in his statement and added: “It is an initiative that has a deep patriotic content and orientation and is only the beginning for our homeland, which is moving forward with the help of the European Union for the protection of marine wealth, in the marine parks of the South Aegean and the Ionian.”
The importance of implementing the program for the fishermen and the need to ensure legal security in the fishing process was emphasized in statements by the Secretary General of Shipping and Ports, Vangelis Kyriacopoulos, highlighting the importance of cooperation with the Coast Guard and the use of electronic monitoring systems for tracking vessels, both fishing and tourist, in order to ensure the proper application of regulations.
Mr. Papastavrou was informed by the Executive Director of EFCA, Dr. Susan Steele, about the Agency’s work and the capabilities of the Ocean Sentinel, which alone conducted 4,500 inspections last year, training professionals on board the vessel.
“We are today on the Ocean Sentinel, which conducts patrols in the Mediterranean with inspectors from Greece, Italy, Cyprus, and Malta. We are working to ensure that all fishermen in the Mediterranean have equal competitive conditions. It is really important that everyone is treated the same way, regardless of where they fish in Europe,” Dr. Steele pointed out and added: “According to European regulations, this vessel has been permanently stationed here in the Mediterranean since 2022 and has operated in all areas of the Mediterranean. Thus, we have conducted many inspections. In fact, if you take into account us and the other control means in the Mediterranean, over the last year there have been more than 4,500 inspections. That is quite a large number. What we are finding is that we have seen huge increases, for example, in bluefin tuna. We have found that legal fishermen feel protected by the work of all member states. From the Coast Guard – Hellenic Coast Guard, the Italian Coast Guard, the Maltese Fisheries Control Authorities, to all the relevant Fisheries Control Authorities working together to ensure that we have sustainable fishing in the oceans.”
“Today is an important day. A 10-year struggle for the protection of the marine area is coming to an end. From now on, monitoring of the fishing restriction measures will be pursued, in close contact with the Ministry,” emphasized in his statements the president of the Amorgos fishing association, Michalis Krosman.
It is noted that from today the Presidential Decree for “Amorgorama” comes into effect, which establishes – after an initiative and in cooperation with the island’s fishermen – restrictions on fishing activity in the coastal zone of the island, with the aim of protecting the marine ecosystem of the area. The Presidential Decree (PD No. 73) was published in the Government Gazette on August 18, 2025 (No. 148, A Issue) and sets the regulatory measures for fishing in the coastal zone of the island.
The action plan provides for the cessation of fishing activity in April and May, the most important months for fish reproduction, the cleaning of beaches that are not easily accessible from the land during the same period, the gradual change of fishing gear to more sustainable ones, and the creation of three Marine Protected Areas along the coastline of Amorgos Island (no-fishing zones).
Mission Th. Papakostas
Source Photo: AMNA/Th.Papakostas