An Attempt by Turkish fishing vessels to ram an Archipelagos vessel

 An Attempt by Turkish fishing vessels to ram an Archipelagos vessel in Greek territorial waters, while Archipelagos members were trying to stop their illegal fishing activities

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. (WATCH THE VIDEO HERE)

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.
 

Illegal Fishing of Bluefin Tuna by Turkish fishing vessels located in Greek Territorial Waters

Just twelve days after the official EU fishing season for bluefin tuna in the EU Mediterranean zone has ended (June 15th), and one week after the "liberation" from the environmental organization «Sea Shepherd» of 800 tons of red tuna towed by poachers off the Libyan coast, another serious incident of illegal fishing of this kind took place - this time - in Greek waters.

On June 26th, members of Archipelagos research institute observed activities of large fishing vessels flying the flag of Turkey in Greek territorial waters in the eastern Aegean Sea. These four large fishing vessels of 20-45 meters long, were navigating in waters a very short distance from the Greek islands. Three of the vessels were each towing a big cage with live bluefin tuna, while the fourth was following a short distance behind, overseeing the transfer processes and making ongoing maneuvers in violation of the rules of safe passage in the Greek territorial waters.
 

Attempt from the Panhellenic Middle Range Union of Fisheries Shipowners, to interfere at Archipelagos actions

In a bold attempt, the Panhellenic Middle Range Union of Fisheries Shipowners, (P.E.P.M.A) attempted to intervene in the research activities that Archipelagos is conducting in the south of Samos.

The destructive and frequently illegal fishing practices utilized by P.E.P.M.A members, mainly trawling over productive habitats, is a significant factor adding to the degradation of the Greek seas. Despite this they managed to quickly and easily mobilize the officials of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food to check the legitimacy of the work that Archipelagos was conducting.