Five-year fishing ban to protect stocks

The island of Amorgos has introduced strict new fishing restrictions aimed at reviving depleted fish stocks, following an 11-year campaign by local fishermen.

A presidential decree, published Tuesday, sets a five-year ban on fishing in several zones around the Cycladic island. All fishing is now prohibited year-round near Katapolon and the islets of Gramvousa and Nikouria. In addition, from April 1 to May 31 each year, fishing will be banned within 1.5 nautical miles of Amorgos during the peak spawning season for most species.

Local effort, international support

“Eleven years of effort have passed, often with large gaps where there was no progress, only disappointment,” said Michalis Krosman, president of the Amorgos Professional Fishing Association.

The initiative is considered a rare “bottom-up” conservation effort in Greece, backed by the Cyclades Preservation Fund and the Blue Marine Foundation.

Professional fishing in the 1.5-mile zone will now require special permits. Violators face fines of up to €3,000.

Enforcement concerns

Krosman stressed that monitoring will be crucial: “Without surveillance, protection will remain on paper.” He warned that without proper enforcement, the plan risks failing as earlier initiatives did.