- Professional fishermen gathered at Heraklion’s Venetian Harbor with black flags and banners.
- Fuel costs are among the sector’s biggest concerns, with one fishing trip reportedly costing around €200 in fuel alone.
- Fishermen are also demanding compensation for damage caused by invasive marine species and relief from new monitoring requirements.
- The government says fishing-fuel support will be doubled to €0.32 per liter for April-August.
Professional fishermen gathered at Heraklion’s Venetian Harbor this week, raising black flags and displaying banners as they called for urgent measures to keep the sector afloat.
The protest brought together fishermen, agricultural trade unionists, representatives of local organizations, and MPs, with fuel costs at the center of the complaints.
The government has announced it will double the fishing fuel subsidy for April-August, bringing it to €0.32 per liter, while it is expected to consider further support measures later this month.
€200 just to fuel one fishing trip
According to Giannis Androulakis, president of Heraklion’s professional fishermen, a single fishing trip can cost about €200 in fuel alone.
That is before adding ice, maintenance, equipment and the other costs involved in getting a boat out to sea.
For small coastal fishing operations, where boats are smaller and catches can vary considerably from one day to the next, rising operating costs can quickly turn a day’s work into a loss.
Fishermen argue that existing fuel support does not reflect those realities.
Fuel isn’t the only problem
Fishermen are also demanding solutions for damage to fishing gear and catches caused by marine species such as the lionfish and rabbitfish (lagokefalos), as well as changes to new monitoring and electronic catch-recording requirements.
They are also objecting to the new regulatory framework and penalties, which they consider disproportionate for small fishing businesses.
The protesters have previously warned that, without meaningful solutions, they could go as far as surrendering their professional fishing licenses to the ministry.
Black flags at the Venetian Harbor
Black flags flew from the fishing boats alongside Greek flags, while banners along the breakwater toward the Koules Fortress carried messages calling for support for fishermen and affordable fresh fish for consumers.
One message summed up the wider concern: the fishing profession’s survival is also tied to the availability of locally caught fish at prices consumers can afford.
Because if the small boats disappear, the consequences will not stop at the harbor.
Government responds with higher fuel support
The government has announced it will double fishing-fuel support for the April-August period, bringing it to €0.32 per liter.
Additional measures are also reportedly under consideration, with further details expected later this month.
That will be welcome news for a sector under pressure, but fishermen in Heraklion are making it clear that fuel is only one part of a much larger problem.
They want lower operating costs, compensation for damage caused by marine species, and practical solutions to the growing administrative and monitoring burden on small vessels.