Archipelagos

  • English
  • Ελληνικα
Who We Are
The TeamThe Team
Research BasesResearch Bases
Research BoatsResearch Boats
Our EquipmentOur Equipment
PartnersPartners
SupportersSupporters
Fields of Action
Marine ConservationMarine Conservation Fisheries Shipping Risks Seagrass Meadows Coralligene Conservation Littoral Ecosystems Invasive Species Jellyfish Sea Turtles
Marine MammalsMarine Mammals Dolphins and Porpoises Whales Seals
Terrestrial ConservationTerrestrial Conservation Island Fauna Forests & Flora Freshwater Ecosystems Aegean Seed Bank
Laboratory ResearchLaboratory Research Microplastics Water Analysis Soil Quality
Projects
Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary
Eco-Navigation
FIsh4Life
Save the Aegean
Join Us
Internships in the Aegean
Remote Internships
Interns Experiences
Field Courses
News
Monitoring the artificial reefs implemented by Archipelagos Institute
Monitoring the artificial reefs implemented by Archipelagos Institute
Jellyfish, octopuses, sharks and the ignorance of our coastal country
Jellyfish, octopuses, sharks and the ignorance of our coastal country
Ms. Anastasia Miliou’s meeting with the French Ambassador for Polar and Maritime Issues, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor
Ms. Anastasia Miliou’s meeting with the French Ambassador for Polar and Maritime Issues, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor
Anastasia Miliou participated in the 10th Regional Growth Conference
Anastasia Miliou participated in the 10th Regional Growth Conference
View All...
Donate
Menu

An Attempt by Turkish fishing vessels to ram an Archipelagos vessel

An Attempt by Turkish fishing vessels to ram an Archipelagos vessel

by Archipelagos / Monday, 05 July 2010 / Published in Fisheries, Marine Conservation, Press Releases

A serious incident took place on June 30th, in the marine area between Samos and Fournoi. Members of Archipelagos tried to stop illegal fishing activities carried out by Turkish fishing boats, within the Greek territorial waters.

Transporting of bluefin tuna and attempts to carry out illegal fishing activities were being made by the Turkish vessels: Aboulkerim(34.18.TG.2699) and Masallah.Refik.Usta (10.03.TG.0123) in the area with the coordinates 37ο39’49’’ Β, 26ο34’32’’Α.

The first observation was made by Archipelagos’ research sailing boat, ‘Nireas’, at 19:00 (while it was conducting oceanographic sightings), two miles south-west from the Samos coastline.

One of the Turkish vessels (Masallah.Refik.Usta) was dragging a cage customized for carrying live fish (most probably tuna fish), while the other vessel (Aboulkerim) was sailing nearby ready to use its fishing equipment.

At 19:30 some preparations for illegal fishing activity were observed, but ‘Nireas’ sailed away because it was having difficulties manoeuvring. ‘Archipelagos’ returned to the same point with its speed boat, ‘Okeanos’, and the Archipelagos crew found that there had been fishing equipment used in the area between Fournoi and Samos, at a distance of 1.5 miles from Samos coastline.

During their presence in the area, Archipelagos crew faced aggressive behaviour by the Turkish fishing crew, which progressed into a direct threat, when some of the Archipelagos members tried to cut the fishing cages and release the fish. One of them (Aboulkerim) turned its bow toward “Okeanos’ and tried

The negative development of this incident caused the Turkish vessels to sail away from Greek territorial waters.

Right from the start of the incident, Archipelagos’ members had informed the Greek port police and continued doing so as the incident unfolded. However, the port police did not act to control the foreign boats and their illegal activities. After speaking with the Center of Fishing Monitoring, Archipelagos learned that the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) was not able to spot the Turkish vessels, despite the fact that, according to Regulation (EC) 1224/2009, vessels of third countries should have appropriate electronic equipment (and should have the equipment turned on) when sailing in Greek territorial waters so that they can be spotted and identified by VMS.

The Greek authorities absolutely failed to comply with Regulation (ΕC) 1224/2009, resulting in foreign fishing vessels, which are part of a gang that traffics very expensive fishing goods, to act freely and illegally in Greek waters. These illegal fishing operations are taking control over crucial and important areas of the Aegean Sea, stopping and threatening anybody that tries to stop them from doing so.

We are convinced that the national control and safety systems for the Greek Seas are unfortunately corrupt to a point where the protection of fisheries, as well as important national interests and dignity, are in serious danger.

Furthermore, considering that the areas where the fishing nets are dropped (circular nets of 10-12km length) are inhabited by sea mammals, the danger of trapping and killing such sea mammals is great. (It is also common that carcasses of such mammals and turtles are being eaten by passing tuna that are being carried in cages by the fishing boats).

Archipelagos’ members will keep monitoring key spots of the Aegean Sea to work to prevent similar events from occurring.

0
0
0
0
0

What you can read next

Ignorance of Nature: The Greatest Risk for Wildlife Survival
Koufonisia Classical Music Festival 2020 supports the conservation efforts of Archipelagos-Institute
Light in the tunnel after pressure by Archipelagos for harmonization of Greek and Mediterranean fishing regulations

HIGHLIGHTS

  • International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    International Visitors at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary Project

    1 June 2021
    At Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation an important visit took …
  • The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    The Efkranti Award was Granted to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation

    27 July 2020
    It was a great honor but also great moral support …
  • The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    The President of the Hellenic Republic’s visit to Archipelagos research vessel, the Aegean Explorer

    30 June 2020
    Yesterday, during the President of the Republic’s visit to the …
  • Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    Award to Archipelagos: Best Heroic Act of Environmental Stewardship

    19 February 2020
    The Short Documentary Film presenting the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary, …
  • Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    Award to Archipelagos Institute from the International Propeller Club of the United States

    6 February 2020
    We would like to thank the International Propeller Club of …

Recent Posts

  • Monitoring the artificial reefs implemented by Archipelagos Institute

    Monitoring the artificial reefs implemented by Archipelagos Institute

    28 June 2022
    My name is Okke Schraa, 3rd-year student of Applied Biology …
  • Jellyfish, octopuses, sharks and the ignorance of our coastal country

    Jellyfish, octopuses, sharks and the ignorance of our coastal country

    20 June 2022
    Over the last few days we have seen numerous articles, …
  • Ms. Anastasia Miliou’s meeting with the French Ambassador for Polar and Maritime Issues, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor

    Ms. Anastasia Miliou’s meeting with the French Ambassador for Polar and Maritime Issues, Olivier Poivre d’Arvor

    14 June 2022
    The Scientific Director of Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, Anastasia …
  • Anastasia Miliou participated in the 10th Regional Growth Conference

    Anastasia Miliou participated in the 10th Regional Growth Conference

    10 June 2022
    In the framework of the 10th Regional Growth Conference that …
  • Understanding fish community structures in shallow coastal habitats

    Understanding fish community structures in shallow coastal habitats

    10 June 2022
    I’m Coral, an undergraduate in Marine Geography at Cardiff University, …
  • The World Animal Protection organization at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary

    The World Animal Protection organization at the Aegean Marine Life Sanctuary

    2 June 2022
    The international animal welfare organization, World Animal Protection has been …
  • Shoal of Mediterranean Barracuda in the Aegean

    Shoal of Mediterranean Barracuda in the Aegean

    1 June 2022
    Most fish species form reproduction groups in warm shallow waters …

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation is committed to researching and defending the biodiversity of the Greek seas and islands.

Our action is possible only with your help!

donate
  • Contact us
  • Placements

Archipelagos - Institute of Marine Conservation © All Rights Reserved || Web Design and Development by Red Web Design & Fekas Brothers

TOP