Chronological Overview
The development of the initiative AMORGORAMA
The journey of the initiative AMORGORAMA started years ago and is still ongoing, extending the way we interact with the sea and maritime life.
Timeline
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2026 · Greece & the Mediterranean
Today: a recognized model for community-led marine protection
AMORGORAMA is recognized as a leading example of community-led marine protection and a reference point for the development of similar initiatives in Greece and the Mediterranean. Since November 2025 the AUA, with the General Directorate of Fisheries, runs the scientific monitoring and management project for the Amorgos FRAs, due to run until the end of 2029. Collaboration among all stakeholders continues.
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2025-08-18 · Nice, France & Amorgos
UN Ocean Conference mention, Presidential Decree, and Prime Minister’s visit
In June 2025 the Prime Minister of Greece cites AMORGORAMA at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice as an example of progress on marine protected areas. On 18 August 2025 — a day after a Financial Times front-page feature — the Presidential Decree establishing the Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs) in Amorgos for a five-year period is published, moving the fishers’ vision from proposal to official implementation. In October 2025 the Prime Minister, ministers and the European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans visit the island to honour the initiative.
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2024-04-01 · Athens
AUA study presented in Athens and government commitment at Our Ocean Conference
In January 2024 the AUA fisheries study is officially presented in Athens before political leadership and officials of the General Directorate for Fisheries. In April 2024, at the Our Ocean Conference in Athens, the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food publicly announces the Greek Government’s commitment to establishing the proposed Fisheries Restricted Areas around Amorgos. The initiative is acknowledged by international figures such as Dr Enric Sala and Maria Damanaki as a flagship example for Greece.
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2023-11-01 · Amorgos & Athens
First Fisherman’s Festival and submission of the AUA fisheries study
In June 2023 the first major local event dedicated to AMORGORAMA — the “Fisherman’s Festival” — draws public officials and Greek and international journalists, generating a new wave of coverage. In November 2023 the AUA fisheries study is completed and submitted to the General Directorate for Fisheries, substantiating the proposed Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs); the proposal is unanimously approved by the Association’s General Assembly.
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2022-09-01 · Amorgos & Rome
Blue Marine Foundation joins; Memorandum of Cooperation; SSF Summit in Rome
The Blue Marine Foundation (BMF) joins as a strategic partner, adding funding, expertise and international visibility. In September 2022 a Memorandum of Cooperation is signed between the Association, CPF, BMF, State ministries, local government and the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), marking the start of systematic scientific documentation. The same month, following a GFCM invitation, the Association presents AMORGORAMA for the first time at the SSF Summit in Rome.
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2020–2021 · Amorgos
First pilot clean-ups, CPF support, and Minister of Environment visit
AMORGORAMA moves into implementation: more than 50% of the island’s fishers abstain from fishing to collect tons of waste, with dozens of clean-up missions gathering over 15 tons of plastic, plus nets and ropes, for recycling. In spring 2020 the Cyclades Preservation Fund (CPF) begins supporting the Association with resources, networking and expertise, and on World Environment Day (5 June 2021) the Minister of Environment visits Amorgos, opening new channels of communication with the State.
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2019 · Amorgos
The AMORGORAMA crowdfunding campaign is created
For the first time, the challenges and proposals of Amorgos fishers gain an organized public voice. The president and members of the Association create AMORGORAMA, a crowdfunding campaign to share their vision publicly and raise the first resources to begin coastal clean-ups with their boats. German artist and regular visitor Florian Reiche co-initiates the idea and designs the platform on behalf of the Association.
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2014–2015 · Amorgos
A four-pillar action plan takes shape; first proposals to the State
The Association moves from observation to action, gradually shaping a four-pillar plan: cessation of fishing during the critical spawning months (April–May); coastal clean-ups during that period using boats that remain ashore; gradual adoption of more selective, environmentally friendly gear; and the creation of three no-fishing marine zones around the island. The first formal proposals to the competent state authorities receive no response.
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2013 · Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Participation in the 2nd LIFE network conference (Santiago de Compostela)
The Association participates in the 2nd conference of the Low Impact Fishers of Europe (LIFE) network in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, coming into contact with other small-scale fishing communities across Europe facing similar challenges. The experience strengthens the belief that Amorgos’ problems are not isolated and that realistic tools and examples exist for a different path forward.
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2013–2018 · Aegean & Eastern Mediterranean
Drawing inspiration from community-led protection in the Mediterranean (Gökova Bay)
In the following years, Amorgos fishers closely follow other examples of community-led marine protection across the wider Mediterranean, drawing inspiration from initiatives such as Gökova Bay in neighbouring Turkey, where local participation and marine protection begin to yield tangible results.
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2010 · Amorgos coastal waters & northern beaches
Fishers observe decline in catches and coastal pollution
Fishers begin to observe, with increasing intensity, a decline in fish stocks and their income, while the northern, hard-to-reach coasts of Amorgos become heavily burdened with marine litter, mainly plastics. Within the Association, discussions begin on the creation of marine protected areas.
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2003 · Amorgos
Founding of the Professional Fishing Association of Amorgos
The Professional Fishing Association of Amorgos “Hozoviotissa” is established, with the aim of collectively representing the needs and demands of the island’s professional fishers.