Destructive Fisheries 

The Aegean Sea, a vibrant cradle of marine biodiversity within the Mediterranean basin, is increasingly threatened by destructive fishing practices. These unsustainable methods, including bottom trawling, illegal dynamite fishing, and the use of fine-mesh nets, inflict severe damage on marine habitats, decimate vulnerable species populations, and undermine the livelihoods of small-scale fishers who rely on healthy ecosystems for survival.

Bottom trawling is among the most damaging practices currently affecting the Aegean. Dragging heavy nets along the seabed not only results in high levels of bycatch, including juveniles and endangered species, but also causes irreversible damage to critical habitats such as seagrass meadows and coralligenous reefs. These habitats are essential breeding and nursery grounds for countless marine species, and their destruction accelerates the decline of fish stocks across the region.

The impact of destructive fisheries extends beyond ecological degradation. As fish populations dwindle, local communities suffer economically and culturally. Traditional fishing practices, which have coexisted sustainably with marine life for centuries, are increasingly displaced by industrial-scale exploitation. This imbalance jeopardises both food security and maritime heritage in the Aegean.

At the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, we are actively working to document, expose, and mitigate the impacts of destructive fisheries in the Aegean Sea. Through scientific research, policy advocacy, and direct collaboration with local communities, we strive to promote a shift towards sustainable fishing practices, ensuring that marine biodiversity and coastal livelihoods can thrive for generations to come.

Risk of Maritime Accidents

The escalating risk of maritime accidents is one of the most serious threats facing the Greek seas and the wider Mediterranean. In the absence of effective prevention and emergency response mechanisms, Greece remains vulnerable to a major maritime disaster, one that could result in devastating and long-lasting consequences for biodiversity, public health and the economy (including fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism).

The Mediterranean has served as a vital shipping route for thousands of years. Today, it handles approximately 20% of global maritime trade. The Aegean Sea, in particular, remains a critical passage for the transport of oil and hazardous cargoes from Central Eurasia. Maritime traffic in this region continues to rise, with a significant portion involving large commercial vessels. Alarmingly, nearly half of these ships sail under “flags of convenience” (e.g., Panama, Liberia), often avoiding compliance with key international safety and environmental regulations. These vessels pose a disproportionately high risk of accidents and pollution incidents.

Every day, over 3 million tons of oil and thousands of tons of hazardous materials—including toxic chemicals and explosives—are transported through the Aegean. This intense volume of high-risk cargo traffic creates the very real possibility of a catastrophic environmental event at any moment. The aftermath of such an accident could include:

• Massive and costly decontamination operations

• Irreparable damage to fragile marine ecosystems

• Severe economic disruption across sectors such as tourism, fisheries, and aquaculture

Despite this growing threat, Greece’s maritime risk management infrastructure remains outdated and inadequate. The lack of updated national response plans has been starkly highlighted by incidents such as the Agia Zoni II oil spill in the Saronic Gulf (2017), the Little Syma incident near Mykonos (2017), and the Sea Diamond sinking off Santorini (2007). Many of these disasters received limited public attention, despite their significant environmental impact.

At the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, we are actively working to address this critical issue. Through targeted research and data collection, we aim to quantify maritime accident risks and advocate for robust, modernised response strategies. By engaging with national and international authorities, we strive to catalyse urgent action to safeguard the Greek seas from preventable shipping disasters.

Explosions at Sea

Explosions at sea, whether caused by military activity, illegal fishing practices, or the mishandling of hazardous cargo, represent a serious and often underreported threat to marine life, coastal communities, and maritime safety in the Mediterranean, particularly in the Aegean Sea.

In recent years, the Aegean has witnessed a concerning number of underwater explosions, many of which are linked to illegal dynamite fishing. This destructive practice, though banned, continues in some areas due to inadequate enforcement. The blasts kill indiscriminately, wiping out entire schools of fish and severely damaging benthic habitats, including vital seagrass meadows and coralligenous reefs. These ecosystems are not only biodiversity hotspots, but also key to coastal protection and carbon sequestration.

Beyond illegal fishing, the risk of explosions from the maritime transport of dangerous goods has also grown significantly. With increasing commercial shipping traffic through Greek waters, often under lax regulatory oversight, the chance of accidental detonation from improperly stored or declared cargo is ever-present. Such incidents can have immediate and long-term impacts: from shockwaves that rupture the bodies of marine mammals to toxic spills that poison entire food chains.

Moreover, remnants of historical conflicts in the Mediterranean, including sunken ships and munitions from World War II, still pose latent explosive risks. These submerged hazards are often disturbed by trawling or coastal development projects, threatening both the environment and human safety.

Despite the frequency and gravity of these incidents, systematic monitoring and transparent reporting remain minimal. The Archipelagos Institute is working to document explosion events, assess their ecological impact, and advocate for stronger enforcement and preventive policies. Our efforts include acoustic monitoring for underwater blasts and community-based reporting systems.

The silence surrounding explosions at sea must be broken, both literally and figuratively. 

Intensive Aquaculture

The rise of intensive fish farming in the Mediterranean has introduced a host of environmental and social challenges. What began as a sustainable solution to overfishing has, in many areas, evolved into an industrial practice that places significant strain on fragile marine and coastal ecosystems.

In Greece, intensive aquaculture operations are often concentrated in sheltered bays and gulfs, chosen for their calm waters and proximity to export routes. However, these same areas are typically biodiversity hotspots, home to seagrass meadows, nursery grounds, and important migratory pathways. The dense concentration of fish cages leads to the continuous accumulation of waste, uneaten feed, faeces, and chemicals on the seabed below, resulting in oxygen depletion and the degradation of benthic habitats.

In addition to organic pollution, the widespread use of antibiotics, antifoulants, and other pharmaceuticals to control disease and parasites in crowded farming conditions poses a serious threat to marine life. These substances often enter the surrounding environment, disrupting natural microbial communities.

The social impact of intensive aquaculture is also significant. Local fishing communities, many of which have relied on small-scale, sustainable practices for generations, are increasingly marginalised as large aquaculture firms monopolise coastal access and degrade shared resources. In many cases, local voices are excluded from the planning process, leading to conflict, loss of livelihoods, and a sense of environmental injustice.

At the Archipelagos Institute, we are working to monitor and document the ecological impacts of intensive aquaculture, promote best practices, and advocate for policy reforms that prioritise environmental protection and community rights. 

Environmental Crimes

Environmental crimes in the Greek seas are a deeply troubling and often overlooked issue. These acts of deliberate harm not only threaten endangered species but also undermine the fundamental ethics of marine conservation. Among the most appalling of these crimes are the intentional killings of Mediterranean monk seals and dolphins.

The Mediterranean monk seal is one of the rarest marine mammals in the world, with Greece hosting the largest remaining population. Despite their protected status, monk seals are frequently targeted by individuals who perceive them as competitors for fish stocks. These killings are often carried out in secret, using guns, explosives, or poison, and the perpetrators are rarely held accountable. 

Dolphins, symbols of intelligence and grace, are also frequent victims. In recent years, there has been a disturbing increase in reports of dolphins being found dead with clear signs of human-inflicted trauma. These incidents are not isolated; they represent a broader pattern of conflict between unsustainable fishing practices and marine wildlife, driven by dwindling resources and inadequate enforcement of conservation laws.

At the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, we work relentlessly to expose and address environmental crimes through documentation, legal advocacy, and public awareness campaigns. We collaborate with local communities, and international networks to bring perpetrators to justice and to push for stronger, enforceable protections for our marine species. By speaking out and taking action, we aim to ensure that the Aegean and Mediterranean seas remain sanctuaries for life—not battlegrounds for survival.