Are There Fish In Greece?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Fish is an important part of the traditional Greek diet

and if you spend any length of time there, it’s easy to see why. Because there are so many islands in Greece and there is such a long coastline on the mainland, fish is an easy and accessible source of sustenance.

What kind of fish are caught in Greece?

A wide range of fish is available, including

tuna, octopus, John Dory, comber, mullet and bream

. Almost all fishing is done in the sea. However, there are some freshwater and even fly fishing opportunities in the far north of the country.

Why are there no fish in Greece?

But in recent years,

overfishing and pollution, especially discarded plastic, have hammered Greece’s fisheries

, with catches in the Mediterranean Sea falling by as much as 34 percent in the last 50 years. Out at sea​, he noticed many boats around Piraeus hauling in nets filled with rubbish, instead of fish.

What is the most common fish in Greece?


Lavraki

. About This Animal: Lavraki is one of the most popular fish and a signature main dish at many seaside Greek tavernas.

Is there salmon in Greece?


Salmon already has a reputation in the country

. Market traders estimate that fresh 1 kg coho could retail for at least 1,200 drs/kg. It is highly likely that coastal sites suitable for cage culture of coho salmon and large trout exist in Greece.

Do Greek people eat fish?

Fish and Seafood


In the Greek islands and on the coast, mollusks like squid, octopus, cuttlefish, prawns, and crayfish were common

. They were eaten locally but more often transported inland. Sardines and anchovies were regular fare for the citizens of Athens.

Can Tourists fish in Greece?


You can fish from the mainland as well as the many Greek islands

. Below, we’ve outlined some of our favorite spots, as well as what you can catch there. Kefalonia: Located in the Ionian Sea, this popular tourist island is home to plenty of charter vessels.

Is there Lobster in Greece?


The lobster in Greece and in most of the Mediterranean is the spiny lobster

– the claws like it’s Atlantic cousin are absent. The most common lobster in Greece is the spiny lobster. Another lobster also found in Greece (and Mediterranean) is the slipper lobster, known as the “lyra” or “kolohtipa” in Greek.

Are there sharks in Greece?


There are some sharks in the Aegean Sea, but very few

.

The few sharks spotted or caught around Greece were harmless like the basking shark, thresher shark, and the dogfish. The basking shark looks frightening, but it’s not harmful.

Is fishing important in Greece?

Fisheries and aquaculture production


In 2018, Greece produced 0.2 million tonnes of fish (including molluscs and crustaceans), with a value of USD 794.4 million

. 80% of this value came from aquaculture and 20% from fisheries (that is, the capture of wild resources).

Why are there so few fish in the Mediterranean?

About 75% of fish stocks are still overfished in the Mediterranean, rising to 93% within EU waters, and total fish populations have fallen by more than a third over the past half-century. The cause of this ecological crisis:

increased fleet capacity, illegal fishing, and catches of unwanted species

.

What ocean is overfished the most?


The Mediterranean

is the world’s most overfished sea, with the highest percentage of unsustainably harvested fish populations, according to a recent report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Increasing human activity makes Mediterranean marine ecosystems some of the most imperiled in the world.

What fish bites Greece?

The main culprits in the Mediterranean, the experts say, are

Diplodus sargus fish, also known as sargo or white seabream

, usually about 10 to 15 centimeters (four to six inches) long, which are native to the Sea.

Are there crabs in Greece?

Crab used to be abundant in Greece but like in many places in the world, overfishing has become an issue and quotas and (sometimes) moratorium on fishing are in place. That is to say that

you can’t find crab in Greece today

but it’s more expensive and the best time is to buy it in season.

What seafood is Greece known for?

The most common types of seafood that you’ll find in Greece are

sardines, anchovies, smelt, mackerel, bogue, shrimp, and squid

. Other types of seafood, such as Greek lobsters, aren’t as widely available as they once were because the waters have been over harvested.

Are there shrimp in Greece?

This tasty dish is extremely popular, mainly in the fish restaurants of northern Greece.

Greek shrimp saganaki

, usually prepared in a small, two-handle heavy bottomed frying pan, called a saganaki or sagani, can be served as a starter or appetizer and is actually quite filling.

Are there lionfish in Greece?

Lionfish have been found in waters around Cyprus, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Malta, Syria, and Turkey and Croatia. Warming sea temperatures may be allowing lionfish to further expand their range in the Mediterranean.

Are there any fish in the Mediterranean sea?

The varied climate and gentle currents of the Mediterranean Sea make it an ideal place for underwater exploration. With

approximately 17,000 marine species

in this great body of water, you’re guaranteed encounters with intriguing and beautiful fish of all shapes and sizes during your Mediterranean dives.

Do they eat sardines in Greece?

In the era of farm-raised fish, it’s quite rare to be sure that you are eating something caught from the wild. However, with sardines you can be 100% sure!

This small fish is hugely popular in Greece during the summer, particularly in July and August

.

Do Greeks like seafood?


Fresh mussels are a seafood lovers dream

.

In Greece you can try them as a saganaki with a generous sprinkling of feta cheese, or as a meal with either rice or pasta. The seafood in Greece is best enjoyed at a traditional taverna, with an ocean view and plenty of lemon slices!

Why is fish expensive in Greece?

Fish is expensive everywhere in Greece, but

it is fresh caught, landed locally & not transported in bulk freezer lorries to be processed by cheap labour in huge factories

.

Can you fish in Santorini?


Fishing in Santorini Island is an experience that you have to try

, whether you are an aficionado or just enjoying this activity, because of the unique landscapes, the rich sea depths, the fish diversity and just because fishing in Santorini is something you simply have got to experience!

Can I become a fisherman in Greece?


They can’t be legally considered professional fishermen

; for that, they would need to have at least 50% of their income from fisheries and spend 50% of their time fishing. These fishers would prefer to fish full-time, but this is impossible due to the weather and the short tourist season.

What fish live in the Ionian sea?

Most common types of fish in the Ionian Islands

Trawling at sea:

Tuna, Dorado, Spanish mackerel, Mackerel, Bonito and our pick of the bunch Sword Fish

. Dorado and Swordfish shown below by Judy and Jon who caught these sailing with us in 2015. Harbours and bays: Mullet and a few different types of sea bream.

Are there clams in Greece?


Venus clams are found in most Greek waters

(and in Mediterranean) and they are small to medium in size. Venus clams have a peach and pink colour with light striping on the outside and they contain this sweet orange-coloured meat accompanied by a sand-sac and some white meat attached to the shells.

Are there scallops in Greece?


In Greek, scallops are called “Xτένια” (ch-ten-ya) and they appear in the market in the winter time, usually fresh and still in their shells

.

Is there red snapper in Greece?


The Red Snapper they sell is just a local fish called Tsipura and 40 euro’s for 1 fish

. – Review of Antonis, Vasilikos, Greece – Tripadvisor.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.