Kavala – Thrace: Greece’s “Great fishing ground”

45% of Greece’s total fish catch comes from Thrace, Kavala, and the Thermaic Gulf – Major decline in fleet and employment

Northern Greece holds a leading position in the country’s fishing industry, accounting for nearly half of the national production.

According to the 2024 Marine Fisheries Survey conducted by the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT), the regions of Kavala–Thrace and Thermaic Gulf–Halkidiki produced a combined 25,000 tons of fish, representing 45.7% of Greece’s total catch (54,708 tons).

This performance highlights Northern Greece not only as a traditional fishing hub but also as a strategic center for blue growth, with economic, social, and cultural importance for the wider region.

The 2024 Overview: Drop in Production, Stable Value

In 2024, Greece’s total fish catch fell by 11.3% compared to 2023, reaching 54,708 tons, while its value remained virtually unchanged at €249 million (+0.1%).

The industrial fleet (trawlers and purse seiners) recorded a 12.9% drop in volume and a 5.1% drop in value, while coastal fishing experienced a smaller decline in quantity (–8.1%) but an increase in product value (+4.4%). This suggests that smaller fishers, offering more specialized and higher-priced products, managed to offset the overall decline in production.

Kavala – Thrace: Greece’s “Great Fishing Ground”

At the top of national production are Kavala, the Strymonian Gulf, Thasos, and the Thracian Sea, together producing 13,100 tons of fish (23.9% of total national output).

The region boasts a long-standing fishing tradition, with Kavala hosting one of Greece’s largest fish markets. Local enterprises support employment and contribute significantly to exports, mainly to the EU and Balkan countries.

Fish are distributed throughout Kavala, nearby prefectures, and the rest of the country. However, sardine catches fell sharply (–30.4% in 2024), directly affecting local processing industries. In contrast, anchovy catches rose by 3.4%, partially balancing the decline.

Thermaic Gulf and Halkidiki: Tradition, Coastal Fishing, and Gastronomy

In second place come the Thermaic Gulf and Halkidiki, with 11,908 tons (21.8%) of national production. The region is known for intense coastal fishing activity and for highly recognizable seafood products, especially mussels.

Despite a decline in shellfish production (–23.9%) and a steep drop in mussels (–35.5%), their reputation remains strong, deeply integrated into the culinary and tourism identity of Selanik and Halkidiki.

Key Species: Anchovy Leads, Sardine and Cod Decline

Nationwide, fish account for 83% of total catches, led by anchovy (11,921 tons), followed by sardine (5,569 tons) and other commercial species such as red porgy, swordfish, and amberjack.

According to the Annual Aquaculture Report by the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization (ELOPY), Northern Greece also plays a major role in shellfish farming. The highest concentrations of aquaculture units are found in Thessaloniki (26%), Pieria (25%), Imathia (16%), and Kavala (8%), followed by Fthiotida (6%).

The remaining 19% is spread across smaller units in İskeçe, Halkidiki, Rhodope, and Serres. The industry has deep historical roots — organized mussel farming began in the 1970s along the Loudias and Axios rivers, later expanding to Pieria, Imathia, and Kavala.

The establishment of Greece’s first Organized Aquaculture Development Area (POAY) in Pieria in 2019 addressed licensing and organizational challenges, improving conditions for the sector’s sustainable growth.

Shrinking Fleet and Workforce

In 2024, the number of motorized fishing vessels in Greece dropped to 11,416 (–5.2% compared to 2023). The steepest decline occurred in boat seines (–37.8%), while smaller coastal fishing vessels also fell (–4.9%).

Employment followed a similar trend, with the number of people working in the sector decreasing to 15,590, down by 1,250 compared to 2023.

This decline hits hardest the small fishing communities of Northern Greece, where fishing remains a vital source of livelihood and local identity.

mkdn.gr