Archipelagos Institute documents dozens of fishing incursions in the eastern Aegean, while local fishermen raise concerns over damage to fragile marine ecosystems
A marine conservation organisation has documented dozens of alleged fishing incursions by Turkish trawlers in Greek waters, warning that the vessels’ use of bottom trawling equipment is causing severe and potentially irreversible damage to vulnerable ecosystems in the eastern Aegean.
The Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation said its research vessel Triton encountered four Turkish fishing vessels in the Aegean in mid-July while conducting a scientific mission.
According to the institute, the vessels later entered Greek territorial waters and operated between the islands of Agathonisi, Samos, Fournoi and Patmos, using bottom trawling gear despite existing restrictions.
The institute said the activity continued for several days after the vessels were detected.
Bottom trawling described as “seabed bulldozing”
Anastasia Miliou, hydrobiologist and head of scientific research at Archipelagos, explained that bottom trawling involves dragging large nets across the seabed, with heavy metal doors keeping the nets open.
“The net remains open and is held in place by two metal doors that flatten the seabed like bulldozers,” she said.
While the method was originally designed for muddy seabed areas, Miliou warned that its use near sensitive habitats can cause extensive environmental destruction.
The timing of the reported activity has raised further concerns, as Greece prohibits bottom-towed fishing gear in its territorial waters to allow depleted fish stocks and marine habitats to recover.
More than 50 locations recorded
Archipelagos said that since July 16 it has recorded more than 50 locations where Turkish trawlers were active in the waters around Samos, Fournoi and Agathonisi.
According to the organisation’s data, only six of these locations were within or close to international waters, with the majority allegedly occurring near Greek-controlled waters.
“The first vessel starts fishing, nobody stops it, and then the others follow,” said Thodoris Tsimpidis, director of Archipelagos.
“They are knowingly causing destruction. An area that should be given a temporary chance to recover is being fished day and night.”
The institute said its vessels document fishing activity, photograph vessels, notify Greek and European authorities and attempt to discourage illegal operations, but stressed that it is not a law enforcement agency.
Fishermen say the problem is longstanding
Local fishermen in the eastern Aegean say incursions by Turkish fishing vessels have been a recurring issue for years.
Samos fisherman Spyros Iliou said Turkish trawlers have operated extremely close to shore, damaging fishing equipment.
“They fish even 50 metres from the shore, in four metres of water. I have lost my nets twice,” he said.
He added that Coast Guard vessels often force the trawlers away, but they return again.
Greek fishermen also claim Turkish vessels are not subject to the same monitoring requirements as European Union fishing vessels.
Unlike EU-registered vessels, Turkish fishing boats cannot be tracked through the EU’s Vessel Monitoring System, although they can be detected through the Automatic Identification System (AIS). In some cases, vessels have allegedly switched off their tracking signals.
Calls for stronger enforcement
Archipelagos said the main problem is not a lack of legislation but the failure to effectively enforce existing rules.
“There is no need for new policy announcements or new laws,” the organisation said. “What is missing is the effective implementation of the existing legal framework, together with effective monitoring and enforcement measures.”
Greek Coast Guard sources told local media that additional patrol vessels had been deployed to the area and surveillance operations had been strengthened following recent complaints.
Authorities said incidents involving foreign fishing vessels are investigated and reported, while Turkish authorities are informed through established communication channels.
However, Coast Guard sources acknowledged that the issue requires diplomatic efforts as well as maritime enforcement.
Concerns over protected coral ecosystems
Environmental concerns have intensified because the affected waters include areas containing fragile deep-water coral colonies.
In 2025, Greece’s Environment Ministry introduced a ban on bottom-towed fishing gear in the Fournoi Korseon island complex, covering around 430 square kilometres, to protect these ecosystems.
Archipelagos, working with local fishermen, the Municipality of Fournoi and scientists from Greece and abroad, has conducted long-term research to map the region’s deep-water habitats.
According to Miliou, coral colonies support more than 1,800 species and play a crucial role in maintaining the productivity of Greek seas.
Archipelagos said evidence collected in July suggests the Turkish trawlers also entered the protected marine area around Fournoi. The extent of any damage has not yet been determined.
“The destruction that can occur even within 10 minutes or half an hour of activity is irreversible,” Miliou warned. “No bottom-towed fishing gear should ever come close to that area.”