The Ministry of of Rural Development announced a new measure to combat the spread of the rabbitfish, providing for a financial incentive of 5.33 euros per kilogram for the fishing of this species.
The initiative will initially be implemented on a pilot basis in the maritime areas of the South Aegean and Crete, but has sparked backlash from fishermen in other regions, who are calling for similar support and the universal implementation of these measures.
Thus, in our country, for every kilogram of rabbitfish they catch, they will receive 5.33 euros, an amount significantly higher than what Cypriot fishermen receive, namely 4.73 euros per kilogram.
A total of 7 measures to support fishermen
Mr. Schoinas emphasized that the Greek fishing industry is facing serious pressures linked to climate change, rising costs, and illegal practices.
“The Greek fishing industry faces serious challenges due to climate change and illegal practices,” the minister said, adding that the seven measures were developed in collaboration with industry representatives.
The first measure concerns fuel subsidies for commercial fishermen. For April and May, a subsidy of 0.16 euros per liter is planned, while for June the amount is set at 0.12 euros per liter. According to Mr. Schinas, relevant legislation will be introduced to implement this measure.
The second measure concerns the pilot program for catching rabbitfish, as mentioned above.
The third initiative concerns the establishment of a compensation mechanism for fishermen who will be affected by restrictions on fishing activities within national marine parks. The plan will be developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy, with the aim of combining the protection of the marine environment with economic support for coastal and island communities.
The fourth measure focuses on the changes being promoted in the new Common Fisheries Policy and in national legislation. Among other things, the ministry proposes lifting the ban on financing engines in order to reduce the operating costs of vessels.
At the same time, the aim is to boost investment in safer, more efficient, and more resilient fishing vessels. This initiative also includes amending legislation to facilitate the entry of new professionals into the sector.
The fifth measure aims to strengthen the institutional presence of professional fishermen in decision-making bodies.
Specifically, legislative action is planned so that fishermen are represented by fishing gear type in both regional and national bodies, including the Fisheries Council. The goal is for decisions affecting the sector to be made with the participation of the fishermen themselves.
The sixth initiative concerns stricter oversight of recreational fishing. It provides for the creation of a registry of recreational fishermen, as well as the requirement to record their catch.
This measure aims to curb the illegal trade in fish and unfair competition at the expense of commercial fishermen.
The seventh measure concerns the streamlining of the penalty system. According to the plan, a fishing vessel will not be automatically grounded, but only in the event of a repeat offense.
The imposition of penalties will be based on a points system and will be aligned with European law. In this way, the ministry aims to establish a more proportionate framework that will address serious violations without imposing a disproportionate financial burden on fishermen.
For his part, the president of the Panhellenic Union of Medium-Scale Fisheries, Ioannis Bountoukos, acknowledged that some of the announcements are a step in the right direction but expressed reservations about the amount and scope of the financial support.
As he pointed out, the subsidy for fuel costs is insufficient to cover the actual burdens faced by fishing enterprises, especially following the turmoil caused by the war in Iran and the rise in operating costs.
Mr. Bountoukos emphasized that the pilot program for catching rabbitfish is moving in the right direction. He noted, however, that its implementation is limited to specific geographic areas and does not cover all fishermen facing such problems.
Regarding the ban on trawling in the Cyclades and the restrictions in national marine parks, he noted that the relevant decisions should not be implemented without sufficient scientific evidence.
According to him, comprehensive studies are needed, both to protect the marine environment and to ensure the sustainability of the fishing industry.
Finally, he noted that the fishing industry needs stronger funding, stable regulations, and meaningful participation by fishermen in decisions that affect their livelihoods.
