From September 7th to 28th, our vessels M/V Emanuel Bronner and M/V Conrad worked under the direction of the Port Authority of Porto Lagos and in collaboration with the Fisheries Department and the Regional Unit of East Macedonia and Thrace to free over 571 octopuses in just three weeks.  

Why the Thracian Sea Matters

Our crew focused their efforts in the Thracian Sea, a crucial marine habitat located in the northernmost part of the Aegean Sea, between Greece and Turkey. Its nutrient-rich waters make it one of the most fertile marine ecosystems in the region and a biodiversity hotspot home to:

- Endangered harbour porpoises—the only habitat for them in the Mediterranean
- Sharks and rays, including two shark species and five ray species
- Important Bird Areas, vital for migrating birds like flamingos
- Protected Areas including 12 Natura 2000 sites and 3 RAMSAR wetlands

The Illegal Fishing Problem

Unfortunately, illegal octopus fishing in the area is rampant. Although laws ban traps from July through the end of September to protect octopuses during the critical breeding season, thousands of plastic traps remain in the waters surrounding Porto Lagos throughout the year. Worse, many are placed too close to shore in shallow waters that serve as nursery areas for juvenile octopuses and other marine species to grow. On top of that, some fishermen break the rules by using far more traps than the 1500 per boat  allowed—sometimes double the legal limit. Local authorities simply don’t have the resources to handle this on their own, but with Sea Shepherd’s help, we’re changing that.

Plastic Pollution: A Hidden Threat

Most of the traps we recovered were cheap plastic containers, like old olive pots, which break apart and release harmful microplastics into the water. These traps not only threaten octopuses but also pollute the environment. In fact, 80% of the traps we pulled in were so degraded they crumbled in our hands. By removing these traps, we’re tackling plastic pollution head-on.

Taking Direct Action

Working with local authorities and the community, our team recovered thousands of illegal traps, rescuing at least 571 octopuses in the process. For those with eggs inside, we carefully returned them to the water. The hardest part? Finding the traps. Illegal operators had cut buoys to hide them from us, but our divers braved murky waters to track them down. The recovered traps, which can’t be recycled, were destroyed to prevent them from causing any more damage to the ocean and marine wildlife. 

A Community Effort

This campaign wouldn’t be possible without the help of local fishermen and authorities, who’ve supported our efforts to clean up the sea. The Port Authority of Porto Lagos and the Regional Unit of East Macedonia and Thrace awarded Sea Shepherd a commemorative plaque acknowledging our efforts. 

What’s Next?

Our campaign to protect octopuses isn’t over. During the winter months, our land crew will use drones to detect and report any illegal fishing activities to the Port Authority, and we’ve shared data collected on the campaign with the Ministry of Fisheries to push for a complete ban on plastic traps. The fight is far from finished, but with effective collaborations and continued direct action, we can protect these amazing creatures.

Want to Help?

Support our efforts by donating, volunteering, or sharing our campaign. Every bit helps in the fight to protect marine life and keep our oceans healthy.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to defend Greece’s waters.

Read more about Sea Shepherd Greece’s campaign patrolling the Marine Park of Alonissos and Northern Sporades to combat illegal fishing with the M/V Emanuel Bronner: https://www.seashepherdglobal.org/our-campaigns/monachus/ 

Read more about Sea Shepherd Italy’s campaign to stop illegal fishing in the sea between Calabria and Sicily with the M/Y Sea Eagle and the M/V Conrad, successfully removing tons of illegal fishing gear, including thousands of octopus traps: https://www.seashepherdglobal.org/our-campaigns/siso/