Mr Stelios Fyrbas is one of the fishers that are part of the “Fishing for Litter” program that takes action in many greek areas, such as Cretan Sea, the Cyclades, the North Aegean and the Argolic Gulf. Fishing is a family thing, due to the professional occupation of his father and his grandfather. 

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

SF: I was always around sea and fishing since both my faher and grandfather were fishermen. I started working part- time along with my family at the age of 17 and at dedicated myself to it at the age of 25. 

R: Could you describe a day in the sea?

SF: A bad day at work in adverse weather conditions that can last for the entire day, is a tiring and dangerous condition. Bad days are also days without fish and the combination of bad weather and lack of fish is the most futile condition. On the other hand, a beautiful day at sea begins with dead calm. Facing the deep blue, dawn and sunset on such days is a unique feeling. Another great feeling is the day after the bad ones that you get a lot of fish!

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

SF: The sea is hiding a lot of waste. The aquatic litter might have decreased but that also depends on the weather conditions such as rain that reveals more waste than someone can see on a calm day. 

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

SF: Some of the things that made a big impression on me are pieces of boats, beach chairs, children’s dolls and big pieces of grease that look like some type of gel.

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

SF: The sea is a magical place. The people that live away from the sea have many differences from the ones that live there. Personally, whenever I’m on the coast, i feel like something draws me back to the sea, because I want to be close to it. The protection of the sea means so much to me. I believe that we are moving towards change but very slowly and it worries it might be too late. 

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

SF: We shouldn’t believe that personal responsibility ain’t powerful. Each and everyone of us can put a little effort so that all together can make a big change. 

 

iSea’s «Fishing For Litter» program 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 program, the professional fishermen who actively support the effort of collecting and recording aquatic litter from the sea all over the country, talk about the nature of their profession and share their experience and thoughts about the program.

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