Authorities found and seized 96 unmarked fish traps in a marine area of the Thermaic Gulf where fishing remains prohibited throughout the year, according to the Greek Coast Guard.
Coast Guard officers discovered the traps during patrols from a patrol vessel. They recovered all 96 cylindrical traps from the sea and seized them as part of the operation.
The traps had no identifying markings and were connected by rope across a total length of approximately 300 metres. The Hellenic Coast Guard described the equipment as a “navigation hazard” because of the way the traps and rope lay in the water.
The discovery highlights the continuing problem of illegal fishing equipment in Greek waters. The Thermaic Gulf ranks among the marine areas where authorities and environmental groups frequently find illegal fish traps.
The largest recorded haul in recent years came in the Thracian Sea in 2024, when environmental organisations found and removed approximately 6,500 plastic octopus traps along with 52 kilometres of rope.
Illegal fish traps pose a “silent” threat to marine ecosystems, potentially causing significant ecological and economic damage. Abandoned or illegally placed traps can continue trapping marine life while also creating hazards for vessels and damaging the wider marine environment.
