Octopus fishing is uncontrolled in Thracian Seawhere most of the of octopuses which end up in the Greek market. The sea is filled with tens of thousands of “traps”, plastic containers in which octopuses nest until they are pulled out of fishing boatsa practice that is unfortunately legal under certain conditions. It is typical that in a business organized by environmental organization Sea Shepherd in Porto Lagos, Xanthi, in just 20 days, more than 6,500 illegal traps were collected and hundreds of octopuses were released.
Such as Thanasis Tsikleras explains to “K”.professor in the Department of Biology and director of the Ichthyology Laboratory of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, today octopus fishing with “traps” is carried out in three ways: with volkos (net bags), with plastic traps (which are usually plastic containers for olives, tied in rows ) and with kyurtos (wire traps). During the months of July, August and September, plastic traps are prohibited and must be removed from the water. In addition, each professional fisherman is allowed to have up to 1,500(!) plastic traps per boat, which must be marked to whom they belong and not to set them at a depth of less than 10 meters.
“Every 2-3 days the fishermen lift the containers from the bottom with a winch, take the octopuses out by hand or with a hook and put the traps back on the bottom,” explains Mr. Tsikleras. “The entire Thracian Sea, from Kavala to Evros, is full of traps, because most octopuses in our country live there, as the living conditions are better. The problem is that each fisherman has thrown tens of thousands of plastic containers, resulting in overfishing of octopuses”.
The fishermen divide up the sea areas each uses and set a huge number of traps, which they “mark” on a GPS. The beginning of the “thread” is located with buoys or with the help of the anchor. “In fact, not one in a hundred traps is marked to whom it belongs. It is characteristic that once we agreed with the port authority to make a record for research purposes, they all went and cut the buoys so that we would not find them. 95% of them are illegal and shallow”.
The sea is filled with tens of thousands of plastic containers in which the molluscs nest until they are retrieved by boats, a practice – under certain conditions – legal.
“Unfortunately, this way of catching octopuses is very widespread,” says o Dimitris Tsianisbiologist – ichthyologist at the Fisheries Department of Xanthi and president of the Panhellenic Association of Public Ichthyologists. “There are many fishermen in our area who are aware of the problem, because they see that the octopuses are dwindling. But some people only look at temporary profit. This also puts pressure on those who would like to fish more sustainably, but… they feel at a disadvantage and eventually they too cross the line to survive.”
The international environmental organization Sea Shepherd, which operates in our country with a vessel that contributes to guarding the national marine park in Alonissos, learned about the extent of the problem. “We got in touch with the Xanthi Fisheries Department, were informed about the problem and looked for ways to help. We finally managed to get the Conrad catamaran from Sea Shepherd Italy, which has been hauling illegal traps from Calabria to Sicily for the last two years,” says Valia Stefanoudakisdirector of the organization in Greece.
In cooperation with the port authority of Porto Lagos and the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the organization carried out from September 7 to 28 an operation to retrieve illegal traps in Porto Lagos and Thassos. “Within a few days we retrieved 6,583 traps, 52,000 meters of rope and released 571 octopuses. A large number had “sown” in very shallow waters. Near Porto Lagos we collected about 500 traps at a depth of only 2 meters and released 145 octopuses, most of them very young,” says Ms. Stefanoudakis. But the problem is not only the overfishing of octopuses, but also plastic pollution. 80% of the traps we collected were so damaged that they crumbled in our hands. Unfortunately, the entire Thracian Sea is full of these plastic containers, which in our opinion should be banned.”
“This operation helps us to address both the Region and the central administration and highlight the problem,” says Mr. Tsianis. “In my opinion, if we don’t decide to completely ban this particular tool, we should find a way to use it in a completely controlled way, because right now it’s a disaster.”
How can local communities contribute to the protection of octopus populations in the Thracian Sea?
Time.news Interview: Protecting the Thracian Sea’s Octopus Population
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Professor Thanasis Tsikleras, a leading expert in marine biology and the Director of the Ichthyology Laboratory at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Welcome, Professor Tsikleras.
Thanasis Tsikleras: Thank you! I’m glad to be here to discuss this important issue.
Interviewer: The article highlights alarming practices related to octopus fishing in the Thracian Sea. Can you elaborate on the current methods of octopus fishing and the regulations—or lack thereof—that govern them?
Tsikleras: Absolutely. There are three predominant methods of catching octopuses: using volkos, plastic traps, and kyurtos. While certain regulations exist—such as prohibiting plastic traps during peak seasons and restricting fishermen to 1,500 traps per boat—these rules are routinely overlooked. The reality is that illegal traps abound, and there’s a significant lack of enforcement.
Interviewer: It’s concerning to hear that potential overfishing is taking place in this way. Can you explain how prevalent these illegal fishing practices are in the Thracian Sea?
Tsikleras: The situation is dire. We estimate that 95% of the traps are illegal and set at depths that contravene regulations. In just a recent effort by the environmental organization Sea Shepherd, over 6,500 illegal traps were removed in just 20 days. The Thracian Sea, especially from Kavala to Evros, has become a hotspot for illegal fishing activity due to its rich octopus population.
Interviewer: That brings us to the role of fishermen. What mindset do they have towards these practices, especially with regard to sustainability?
Tsikleras: Many fishermen are acutely aware of the declining octopus populations. However, there’s a tension between ethical fishing practices and economic survival. Some feel compelled to exploit the resources for immediate profits, which creates a vicious cycle. Those who might choose to fish sustainably often feel outcompeted and forced to adopt similar practices just to make ends meet.
Interviewer: What are the broader ecological implications of overfishing octopuses in this area?
Tsikleras: Overfishing can disrupt the entire marine ecosystem. Octopuses play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine life. Their decline can lead to an increase in the populations of their prey, which in turn may lead to shifts in habitat and biodiversity. It’s a delicate balance, and disruptions can have cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
Interviewer: With local and international attention to this issue, what steps can be taken to promote sustainable fishing practices in the Thracian Sea?
Tsikleras: Education and enforcement are key. Fishermen need to be educated about the long-term benefits of sustainable practices. Additionally, stricter enforcement of existing regulations is critical. We also need community-based initiatives where local fishermen are involved in monitoring and management processes, making them stakeholders in the health of the ecosystem.
Interviewer: What do you think is the role of organizations like Sea Shepherd in this fight?
Tsikleras: Organizations like Sea Shepherd are invaluable. They not only engage in direct action—like recovering illegal traps—but also raise awareness about the issues at hand. Their presence often shines a light on the problem and can promote dialog among fishermen, scientists, and policymakers about sustainable practices.
Interviewer: Thank you, Professor Tsikleras, for sharing your insights with us today. It’s clear that concerted efforts from all stakeholders are necessary to protect the Thracian Sea’s octopus population and preserve this vital marine ecosystem.
Tsikleras: Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we continue these discussions to pave the way for a more sustainable future for our seas.
