Mr. Theodoros Papagiannakis, a member of the fishing community an important part of the “Fishing For Litter” project, talks about his professional story and his participation in the project. He sails in the Thracian Sea, Samothrace, Alexandroupoli. 

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

TP: I have been fishing since I was 15 years old, I started fishing with my father. Fishing was and still is a family tradition, today my brother and I have undertaken the business.

R: Describe us a day at the sea. 

TP: After we leave the port, we choose the fishing area and we haul the nets, we check the weather conditions and schedule our day. 

R: What differences do you notice in the amount of marine litter compared to the past?

TP: I would say that there is a decrease in litter compared to the past. Also I have noticed that fishers from the neighboring country are more conscious and avoid littering. (In the past, litter used to end up in the areas we fish.) Although, I believe that in October when the fishing season begins, the amount of litter will be increased.

R: What is the strangest type of litter you have removed from the sea?

TP: Until now, I wouldn’t say that I have removed something really strange, the usual is plastic litter. Maybe the strangest is shrapnel from army practice shots.

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

TP: The sea is our home, the place that gives us life.

Q: What is the message you would like to pass along the world?

TP: We are not the ones who destroy the sea, we are the ones who take care of it, the ones who live from it. Please, all of you that enjoy it, mainly during the summers,  take care of it and respect it as if it was your home.