The situation experienced daily by Greek fishermen in the Southeastern Aegean is no longer merely a serious professional problem.
It constitutes a direct affront to our national sovereignty and a dangerous reality that the Greek State has chosen to ignore.
Across the full stretch of the coastline and the rocky islets of our region, within indisputable Greek territorial waters, the presence of the Turkish Coast Guard has now become daily and openly provocative.
Under its escort, Turkish trawlers engage unhindered in illegal fishing activity, plundering our maritime resources and depriving Greek fishermen of their income. The situation has gone far beyond every limit of tolerance.
Greek fishermen, abandoned by the state that ought to protect them, are being forced to defend their rights on their own. When they call on Turkish vessels over the radio to leave the area, they are met with aggressive and dangerous behavior. Turkish fishing boats move threateningly toward them, deliberately creating strong wake turbulence, resulting in damaged nets, immediate danger to their physical safety, and even the risk of their vessels capsizing.
At the same time, the Turkish Coast Guard not only fails to prevent these practices, but actively participates in this campaign of intimidation, operating even alongside Greek fishing boats in an effort to drive them out of their own waters.
The Greek Government bears full responsibility. The lack of an adequate presence of Hellenic Coast Guard and Navy vessels amounts to unacceptable inaction. Naturally, the personnel of the Coast Guard and our Navy are not to blame for this inertia; whenever they are called upon to assist, they always give their very best, guided by a strong sense of duty.
The country’s maritime borders are not being guarded as they should be, leaving room for provocative actions that undermine not only the economic survival of our island communities, but also our very national standing.
Equally grave is the responsibility of the Members of Parliament of New Democracy in our region, who, despite the seriousness of these events, remain inactive and silent, abandoning our fishermen to their fate.
In a post on the internet, I have published video and photographic material that I obtained. This material captures, beyond any doubt, the anguish and anger of our Greek fishermen, as well as the provocative and unquestionably illegal presence of the Turkish Coast Guard and Turkish trawlers, operating at an extremely short distance from Greek islands and islets.
Particularly indicative is an incident of illegal fishing near Farmakonisi, where Turkish trawlers, under the escort of the Turkish Coast Guard, were operating within Greek territorial waters, while at the same time an attempt was being made to force a Greek fishing vessel out of the area.
The question is now relentless:
How much longer will the Greek State remain a passive observer? How much longer will Greek fishermen be left to defend, on their own, our national sovereignty and their right to earn a living?
We demand the immediate strengthening of the presence of the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Hellenic Navy throughout the region, with clear operational orders, systematic surveillance, and the prevention of every illegal activity; tangible support for Greek fishermen who fight every day for survival and dignity; and the elevation of this issue to the highest institutional levels, both within Greece and internationally.
Tolerance has ended.
Silence is no longer an option.
MIKES ZIROUNIS
Regional Councillor of the South Aegean
Regional Unit of Kalymnos
