• Resources about Industrial Fish Farms
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Learn about and help prevent the industrial fish farm expansion planned for Poros and all of Greece.
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Proposed fish farms & industrial facilities Poros
If the POAY plans are approved, industrial fish farms will cover 25% of the shoreline of Poros - over 2,700 stremmata or 670 acres at sea. Industrial processing plants will replace what is currently a pristine natural pine forest preserve. The waste from these farms will deposit on average 16 tons (!) of feces and organic waste into the sea PER DAY. Map by Living Oceans
Sign petition to prevent fish farm expansion on Poros
Aggressive fish farm expansion plans across Greece
The POAY plans include a 25x expansion of all fish farms around Greece. The majority of Greeks are not aware of these plans or the potential devastating environmental impact that accompanies this development. The Mayor of Poros issued a press release on Nov 29, 2021 disclosing these areas but the media never picked it up. Map by Living Oceans
Mayor's 2021 press release and table of POAY expansion areas
Fish farms dangerously close to coast
In Greece, fish farms are permitted to be as close as 50 meters from shore as compared to Cyprus and some other countries in Europe where net pens must be more than two kilometers or further off shore to protect vulnerable seabeds. Photo of Korfos in the Saronic Gulf by Bernhard Lang of Korfos
Fish farms in Mediterranean ‘paradise’ blamed for pollution
Sea Bream and Sea Bass are farmed on Poros
Both are categorized as “AVOID” by Seafood Watch due to the use of marine net pens and antibiotics.
Seafood Watch Recommendations for Greek Sea Bream and Sea Bass
Formaldehyde, a carcinogen, used on farmed fish
“Another reason for fish farming being criticised in Greece is the use of the toxic chemical, formaldehyde. It is poured into the cages to try and control the parasites that proliferate due to the high densities in which the fish live.” The fish farm on Poros was fined in 2012 by the Greek environmental inspectorate for allowing the use of formaldehyde to get out of control.” See article below.
Fish farms in Mediterranean ‘paradise’ blamed for pollution
Farming Carnivorous Fish is Wasteful and Harmful
Sea bream and Sea bass, which are farmed on Poros, are carnivorous fish. Farming carnivorous fish accelerates the depletion of wild fish from the sea. The chemicals and extreme waste caused by the concentration of so many fish in small areas destroy natural habitats and deplete the sea of biodiversity. Image: Ocean Conservancy
Rethinking EU Aquaculture
Net loss: Few Jobs at High Cost & Lost Opportunity
Above the environmental damage, fish farms create very few jobs. In Greece, only 3,900 people are employed both full time and part time by fish farms. In Argentina, it was proven that fish farms threaten tourism, as well as eliminate opportunity to develop new tourism for communities that wish to do so. Photos: Reuters - Worker at fish farm of Selonda (now Avramar) near Sofiko village, Greece
Argentina bans Industrial Fish Farms due to threat to local economy and environment
Waste & nutrients tied to Harmful Algae Blooms
Greenpeace’s Estefania Gonzalez said. “What is the other ingredient that the harmful algal blooms need to be super strong and really developed? Nutrients.” Gonzalez cited research from outside of Chile that has demonstrated the connection between harmful algal blooms and an overabundance of nutrients. “A lot of the impacts are not visible until you are in a state of big crisis,” Gonzalez warned.
Perils of Salmon Farming - Mother Jones

What’s wrong with industrial fish farms?

Katheti Articles on Fish Farms

David vs Goliath: Worldwide coastal communities vs industrial fish farms

Europe - Greece
Date: May 26th, 2023

We, the Committee to Fight Fish Farming in Xiromero and Kalamos – Kastos, support the effort of the people of Poros to save their beautiful island from the Organized Aquaculture Development Areas (POAY).

The POAY is a plan that ignores local communities and the local government. It is a plan that wants to change the character of beautiful Poros and transform it from a well-known tourist destination to a place of fish production on an industrial scale, with major environmental impacts on the marine and terrestrial environment of the island.

We are united by the common problem of the POAYs, which are coming unchecked to our land to change it’s character.

We must defend our land and the environment because we do not own it, we are borrowing it from future generations.

COMMITTEE TO FIGHT FISH FARMING
IN XIROMERO AND KALAMOS-KASTOS
AGAINST THE P.O.A.Y. OF ECHINADES
ISLANDS AND AETOLOAKARNANIA
Dias fish farms anounce their departure from Poros (2013)
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