- Healing Lesvos and the University of the Aegean hosted a marine sustainability event in Petra.
- Fishers, scientists, and locals joined forces in a lively debate over the island’s maritime future.
- “GhostNetFree Ocean” program has already removed abandoned nets from northern Lesvos.
- Experts highlight biodiversity as both an ecological duty and a tourism opportunity.
A Meeting of Nets and Minds
Lesvos (Lesbos) has long been known for its beaches, ouzo, and poetic sunsets. Now it seeks another title: the island where tradition and sustainability come together over the dinner table. At Petra’s Cultural Center “Stelios Pavlis,” the Healing Lesvos initiative and the University of the Aegean recently hosted a spirited discussion on marine management.
The event was no dry academic affair. Around the table sat scientists, professional fishers, local officials, and curious residents—people who know the sea not just from textbooks, but from daily life. For once, everyone seemed to agree: the Aegean needs care, and Lesvos can lead by example.
From Ghost Nets to Green Horizons
One highlight was the “GhostNetFree Ocean” project, which cleared abandoned fishing nets from the seabed of northern Lesvos. The ghostly traps—silent killers of marine life—were hauled away, leaving a cleaner, safer habitat behind. Proof, if any was needed, that cooperation between communities, volunteers, and institutions can bring results you can actually swim in.
Marine biologist Dr. Drosos Koutsoubas stressed that preserving biodiversity is more than noble sentiment:
“Marine protected areas are not only an environmental necessity—they are an opportunity for eco-tourism on Lesvos.”
Research is already underway to map the region’s ecological value and propose new management practices that balance livelihood and conservation.
Fishers at the Helm
Perhaps the most striking moment came when the island’s fishers spoke. Instead of resisting change, they championed it—suggesting stricter rules for certain tools and smarter waste management. Their message was simple: keeping the sea alive is not someone else’s problem, it is everyone’s.
Lesvos has always thrived on authenticity—its villages, its music, and its cuisine. Now, it adds another layer: protecting the sea so that the beauty above water matches the richness below. For locals, it means resilience; for visitors, it means a greener, more inspiring island. Either way, Lesvos proves that sustainability is not a slogan—it is a community project best shared with good company and a glass of ouzo.
