87% of Poros Opposes Expansion of Fish Farming
September 14th, 2023
“Our hearts are deeply saddened with the multiple tragedies in Greece this summer. We also recognize that there is another environmental tragedy looming but this is one we can avoid. The reality of open net-pen fish farming is that its cost on the environment outweighs any benefit for communities, especially those dependent on nature for tourism such as Poros.”
Eva Douzinas, President, Rauch Foundation
A public opinion survey of residents on Poros and Methana released today shows that 87% of those surveyed disagree with plans to expand fish farms on Poros. The survey, conducted in July 2023 by Kapa Research, measured how aware residents were of the plans for the national government to expand fish farms across Greece as well as how much they knew about plans to expand fish farming specifically on the popular tourist island, Poros.
The survey was initiated by the US-based Rauch Foundation and Poros non-profit, Katheti, and funded by Rauch. Eva Douzinas, President of the Rauch Foundation and co-founder of Katheti, noted, “This survey highlights the clear and unambiguous will of the people. The reality of fish farming is that its cost on the environment outweighs any benefit for communities dependent on tourism, such as Poros.”
Marine aquaculture in Greek coastal waters was introduced in the early 1980s and the main products are Mediterranean sea bass and gilthead sea bream, also marketed under the names Branzino and Dorade. In the early 2010s the Greek government laid out a plan to increase annual production from 131,000 to 470,000 tons of farmed fish and identified 25 “Areas of Organized Development of Aquaculture Activities” across Greece. Poros, an island of 3,200 and a popular yachting destination, is on this list despite years of fierce local opposition. Many island leaders and residents recently voiced their opposition to the plans in a mini documentary, Saving Poros, and during a well-attended gathering on World Ocean’s day.
Poros Commercial Association Director, Dimitris Syxeris, noted, “The natural wealth of the island is the main reason tourists come here. In 2022 the port of Poros recorded the arrivals of 18,000 private boats and nearly 311,000 passenger arrivals by boat. It is clearly a yachting destination and our beautiful, nearly untouched coastline really is Poros’ principal asset. With almost 80% of the workforce directly or indirectly engaged in tourism, an expansion of fish farms to 25% of our coastline would be disastrous for the island’s economy and the local community.” According to a study on sustainable tourism and destination management, in 2015 Poros had a 4,000-bed capacity and 54,000 overnight stays.
While only 41% of the residents of Poros and Methana were very or somewhat aware of the plans to expand fish farming across Greece, 77% stated that they were very or somewhat aware of the aquaculture expansion plans on Poros. Those surveyed worried that an expansion of fish farms on Poros will negatively impact most sectors that it touches:
84% worry that it will negatively impact seawater quality
86% worry that it will negatively impact the natural environment
85% worry that it will negatively impact tourism
71% worry that it will negatively impact the local economy
62% worry that it will negatively impact jobs
In fact, only 28% believe that the expansion of fish farms can have a positive effect on jobs and 20% believe it will help the local economy in general.
Katheti co-founder and Executive Director Fay Orfanidou added, “The people of Poros were not consulted in this decision, which includes a plan to expand existing farms on Poros by 28 times and take over fully 25% of the island’s coastline and land. With 87% of locals opposed to the expansion of fish farming, I hope the government will terminate this devastating plan. It presents a net loss for livelihoods, the environment and the character of our treasured historic island.”
The survey results – funded by the Rauch Foundation – are contained in the report “Fish Farms and Local Communities: The case of Poros and Methana.”
Other links:
Complete list of POAY expansion areas
Information and resources on fish farms
Rauch Foundation is a U.S. based family foundation that invests in ideas and organizations that spark and sustain positive systemic change. Building on a long history of providing evidence-based research and data to inform policy, its current work is centered on exploring the systems involved in the financing, sourcing, production and delivery of food. The foundation is interested in how global, national, and regional actions impact the health of communities, economies, and the environment.
Katheti is a cultural and educational centre serving the people of the Poros, Troizinia and Methana region. Currently, it is focused on protecting the threatened environment of this region. Katheti supports local artisans, entrepreneurs and students, and those seeking to expand their horizons, learn new skills, share knowledge, and celebrate the richness of local culture. Its mission is to galvanize the deep expertise and creativity resident in the local community, and provide additional resources that encourage sustainable growth. ‘Katheti’ is the traditional fishing gear used by generations of local families, made from rectangular pieces of native cork, a weighted line and simple hooks: a symbol of ingenuity and self-sufficiency. The name reflects the adage: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
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