Greece offers €5.33/kg compensation for pufferfish catch as part of sector support

Greece has established a compensation of 5.33 euros per kilogram for professional fishermen who catch invasive pufferfish, a measure decided during a meeting at the Ministry of Rural Development and Food. This initiative is part of a comprehensive support package designed to address the significant damage these non-native fish cause to local fish populations.

The support package aims to intervene directly in production costs, enhance fishermen's income, strengthen institutional representation, and ensure the sector's sustainability. Key measures include subsidies for fishing fuel: 0.16 euros per liter for April and May, and 0.12 euros per liter for June, adjusted for market conditions. The maximum net compensation for pufferfish eradication is set at 5.33 euros per kilogram, incentivizing fishermen to participate in managing marine species and protecting ecosystems.

This new pufferfish eradication action is specifically targeting Crete and is funded by European resources, aiming to bolster the local fishing sector and promote sustainable use of the island's marine resources. The ministry also plans to offer compensation for fishing restrictions within national marine parks, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy, to protect ecosystems and support industry professionals.

Beyond the pufferfish initiative, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food is implementing broader interventions to boost the competitiveness and sustainability of the fishing sector. These include lifting the ban on engine financing to reduce operational costs, modernizing fishing vessels for improved safety and fuel efficiency, and promoting generational renewal within the industry by adapting national legislation to attract younger professionals and ensure continuity.