Serious problems and complaints from fishermen in the Dodecanese have reached Parliament, focusing on illegal fishing by Turkish vessels, unequal treatment of Greek fishermen and severe fines imposed through satellite monitoring.
Greek Solution leader Kyriakos Velopoulos raised the issue in a parliamentary question, conveying the dissatisfaction of fishermen, particularly from Kalymnos, who report persistent breaches of Greek and European legislation by Turkish fishing vessels in Dodecanese territorial waters.
Allegations of unequal treatment
In his question, Velopoulos says Greek fishermen complain that Turkish vessels fish undisturbed, without fearing the presence of Greek authorities, while Greek fishing professionals face extremely strict penalties even for positional deviations of around 15 metres.
According to the complaints, fines are often imposed without first warning the skipper to change course, although a margin of error of up to 500 metres had been discussed at European level. Some Greek fishermen are reportedly considering using foreign flags or avoiding Greek ports.
The ministry's response
The Ministry of Rural Development and Food explains that monitoring fishing in Greek waters is a national obligation under the EU's Common Fisheries Policy. Operational inspections fall within the remit of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Hellenic Coast Guard.
According to the response, incidents of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by Turkish vessels are monitored by the Coast Guard and Frontex. Vessels from third countries are instructed to leave Greek territorial waters immediately.
Reports are forwarded to the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, DG MARE. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also coordinates on the matter, which is handled confidentially.
Measures under European legislation
The ministry says European legislation already provides strict measures for third-country fishing vessels operating illegally in a member state's territorial waters. These include immediately stopping fishing, directing a vessel to port for inspection, confiscating gear and catches, temporarily detaining a vessel, requiring a financial guarantee and beginning investigative proceedings.
Such activity is classified as a serious infringement and triggers sanctions procedures at European level.
Satellite monitoring and fines
On the fines reported by Greek fishermen, the ministry explains that the Vessel Monitoring System, VMS, is compulsory under European regulations for professional fishing vessels over 12 metres and vessels holding certain special licences.
Penalties are based on the precise position recorded by the Fisheries Monitoring Centre. The ministry says the 500-metre tolerance is due to be reduced as modern satellite equipment provides considerably greater accuracy.
Provision is also made for checks and remeasurement where a fisherman disputes the accuracy of the data.
