Mr Giaourakis Dimitrios is 34 years old and one of the fishers that are part of the “Fishing for Litter” program. He takes action in the area of Magnisia and he started his occupation with fishing by following his father’s and grandfather’s family business. 

R: How many years have you worked as a fisherman? How did your occupation with fishing begin?

G.D.: It all started in 1959 when my grandfather started working by chance as an engineer on a fishing vessel, then within 3 years he bought 50% of this vessel and later on, the other half. My father entered the workforce in 1988 when he decided to resign as a mechanical engineering professor at SELETE. I represent the third generation of the family business as I have been actively involved as a boat skipper for about 10 years, after completing my studies as a mechanical engineer and after completing my military duties. 

R: Could you describe a day in the sea?

G.D.: We usually start at 5.00 a.m. from the port and after about an hour’s march, we cast the first kalada where it lasts about 5 hours and then the same process is repeated. Of course we have always checked the weather conditions and also the place we will fish from the beginning of our day. At some point in the late afternoon we return to the port to drop off our merchandise.

R: What differences do you notice regarding the amount of waste compared to the past?

G.D.: Since we have been participating in the “Fishing for Litter” project and based on the records that are being made, I have noticed a slight decrease, especially in the spots that are fished regularly. However, the problem with marine pollution still exists in the places where we don’t fish often as there is a large concentration of waste in the Pagasetic Gulf, a closed area for trawlers and according to studies the fish population is dying from this pollution.

R: What kind of waste you’ve collected has made the biggest impression on you?

G.D.: Once we caught a whole bathroom set, it was quite a tragic experience as I could never imagine seeing something like that. From time to time, of course, even now we fish refridgerators, kitchens, sinks.

R: What does the sea and its protection mean to you?

G.D.: The sea is my whole life. I grew up in it, live, work, almost all year round. Protecting it is our future, if we don’t protect it we will have no future.

R: What is the message you want to pass along the world?

 GD: Most people don’t know about our profession, they don’t know what trawling is. They think we are the ones doing most of the harm to the marine environment. While this is not the case but the exact opposite since we fish legally and conscientiously outside the areas that have been designated as Natura. Beyond that, we also provide for the greek economy because of the employment opportunities we offer. Also, the are many professions are inextricably linked to our own profession. The state should protect us and listen to us, find a common way to protect our seas and the greek fish.

iSea’s «Fishing For Litter» project is implemented for 4 years in a row, in lots of different areas in Greece, in collaboration with the A C Laskaridis Charitable Foundation. The ambassadors of this project, the professional fishers who actively support the effort of collecting and recording marine litter from the sea all over the country, talk about the nature of their job and share their experience and thoughts about the project.

We would like to thank all the fishers who cooperated with us, for a more effective implementation of the “Fishing For Litter” project and give a personal touch to this effort.

iSea’s «Fishing For Litter» project is implemented for 6 years in a row, in lots of different areas in Greece, in collaboration with the A C Laskaridis Charitable Foundation. The ambassadors of this project, the professional fishers who actively support the effort of collecting and recording marine litter from the sea all over the country, talk about the nature of their job and share their experience and thoughts about the project.

We would like to thank all the fishers who cooperated with us, for a more effective implementation of the “Fishing For Litter” project and give a personal touch to this effort.