Strong messages regarding harassment of Greek fishermen in the Aegean were sent by Rural Development Minister Margaritis Schinas during his first parliamentary statement since taking office, at today’s joint meeting of three committees, in the presence of European Fisheries Commissioner Kostas Kadis.

“We are particularly concerned to see in the Aegean Sea tactics of harassment and obstruction, very often within the waters of the European Union,” Schinas said, without explicitly naming Turkey, adding: “This is a phenomenon that cannot be accepted.”

At the same time, Schinas called for “much better coordination, joint surveillance, and common enforcement of rules by all coastal states,” noting that illegal and unreported fishing remains one of the biggest challenges in the Mediterranean.

New €16 million funding for fishermen

The Minister of Rural Development announced new funding of €16 million for investments in fishing vessels through the Fisheries, Aquaculture and Sea Programme 2021–2027.

The measure, he said, will support around 400 professional fishermen and businesses in the sector, with a focus on small-scale coastal fishing and island communities.

“We are financing investments that improve fishermen’s safety, working and hygiene conditions on board vessels, the quality of catches, and overall the daily life of people of the sea, without increasing pressure on marine resources,” he noted.

“We will stand up to predators and schemes”

Schinas also referred to his morning visit to the Keratsini fish market. “We met Greece that wakes up early,” he said, referring to people who “through hard effort try to make a living.”

In this context, he made it clear that he would stand up to those who undermine the primary sector. The ministry “will stand against all schemes that aim to undermine the effort of ordinary Greeks struggling in the field or in livestock farming,” he said.

The “three major construction sites”

The minister outlined the priorities for the coming period, referring to “three major construction sites” in the primary sector.

The first concerns the reorganization of the payment system through the transition of OPEKEPE to AADE, noting that he and AADE Governor George Pitsilis have set a timetable for the year so farmers know what to expect from the outset.

The second is the new Common Agricultural Policy and Europe’s new production strategy up to 2034. “Greece must—and will be—present there with seriousness, a plan, and confidence,” he said.

The third concerns the fight against zoonotic diseases and new health threats: “Sheep pox, foot-and-mouth disease in Lesvos, and the new pressures being created show that constant vigilance, cooperation, and rapid response are required.”

In this context, the ministry submitted new amendments to support livestock farmers in Lesvos and introduced a pilot project for the implementation of tagging measures that will improve traceability of Greek livestock.