Announcement

On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the AMORGORAMA field team, as part of its systematic sea monitoring and awareness activities around Amorgos, located a small inflatable boat anchored within the Nikouria Fisheries Restricted Area, in the marine area of Gramvonisi, with no operator on board.

On Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the AMORGORAMA field team, as part of its systematic sea monitoring and awareness activities around Amorgos, located a small inflatable boat anchored within the Nikouria Fisheries Restricted Area, in the marine area of Gramvonisi, with no operator on board. Shortly after, the field team noted the presence of a diver using breathing apparatus, without the required floating buoy and lacking the mandatory “Diver Below” flag on the vessel. The team immediately notified the Amorgos Port Station on the spot, which responded swiftly once again to our call and rushed to the location.

The diver claimed to be conducting a recreational dive. However, during the subsequent inspection, a speargun, a second breathing apparatus, and a catch collection net containing a fish of the Epinephelus genus (grouper species) were located on the seabed directly beneath the boat. Subsequently, the diver was escorted to the Port Authority for the evaluation of the incident by the competent authorities.

Based on the recorded evidence, there are strong indications of potential violations:

• Use of a speargun in combination with self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA): A practice prohibited by Presidential Decree 373/1985 on recreational fishing and Council Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 for the Mediterranean, as it is considered a method with a heightened impact on fish stocks and incompatible with sustainable fishing principles. Using a speargun with SCUBA represents one of the most severe forms of illegal recreational fishing in the Mediterranean. In Greece, offenders face heavy administrative and—under certain conditions—criminal sanctions, alongside the immediate confiscation of catches, the vessel, and all diving/fishing equipment.
• Conducting fishing activities within a Fisheries Restricted Area (FRA): In violation of Presidential Decree 73/2025 (Government Gazette A’ 148/18.08.2025), which establishes the protected zones of Amorgos and prohibits all forms of fishing within them. These provisions are also grounded in the Fisheries Code (Legislative Decree 420/1970) and relevant Common Fisheries Policy rules.
• Violation of diving safety rules: Pursuant to P.D. 373/1985, due to the absence of a visibly displayed diving flag or buoy indicating the presence of a diver in the water.

The AMORGORAMA team extends its warm thanks to the leadership and officers of the Amorgos Port Station for their immediate response, professionalism, and consistency. Close cooperation with the competent authorities serves as an essential pillar for effectively monitoring compliance with fisheries legislation on the island of Amorgos.

The AMORGORAMA team will exhaust every legal avenue to contribute to the protection of Amorgos’ marine environment and the enforcement of P.D. 73/2025. The collective effort of Amorgos’ fishers cannot be undermined by self-interests and practices that jeopardize our shared natural capital and the future of coastal fishing on the island.

The AMORGORAMA team calls upon all residents, visitors, professionals, and sea users to stay informed and respect the active FRA measures in Amorgos.

Information regarding the zones, applicable regulations, and the purpose of these measures can be found on the AMORGORAMA initiative’s website at https://amorgorama.com/en/fishing-restricted-areas-fras/.

Let us all contribute to the effort to restore marine life around Amorgos and protect its unique marine heritage.

Read the official press release of the Amorgos Port Station here