Ithaca's Seas Choked by Abandoned Fish Farm Debris

The Greek island of Ithaca is still contending with pollution stemming from abandoned fish farms. Recently, a large, black, plastic cage from a defunct fish farm appeared in the Ionian Sea, posing a significant hazard to maritime traffic, especially at night. This debris was towed ashore by the coast guard and subsequently removed with municipal assistance.

Mayor Dionysis Stanitsas of Ithaca sought help from the environmental organization Healthy Seas, which had previously cleaned up the island's two former fish farms three to four years ago. However, this particular cage originated from a farm on the mainland, in Aetolia-Acarnania, and its owner failed to report or remove it after it detached.

This incident is not isolated; Euronews has previously reported on similar pollution in Ithaca in 2022 and earlier in 2024, when tonnes of ghost nets and cages were cleared. Despite existing laws, enforcement appears lax, with authorities citing capacity and cost issues, and private property claims hindering intervention. Healthy Seas has been active since the summer of 2021, with international volunteers aiding in cleaning efforts.

The decaying structures of old fish farms continue to shed debris, including wood, plastic, and Styrofoam, into the sea. Despite appeals to regional and national environmental authorities, the government departments claim inability to intervene due to the sites being private property. The situation underscores a wider phenomenon of abandoned fish farms across Greece needing comprehensive regulatory action.