Volos, August 31, 2024, The Europe Today: In response to a severe environmental crisis, the Greek government has declared a monthlong state of emergency in the central port city of Volos. This decision follows the mass die-off of thousands of freshwater fish, which has led to widespread disruption and prompted immediate action from local and national authorities.
Causes and Impact
The massive fish die-off is attributed to the aftermath of devastating floods that struck Greece’s central Thessaly region last year. These floods inundated over 20,000 hectares of land and caused Lake Karla, which had been drained in 1962 for malaria control, to swell to three times its normal size. The lake’s recent severe drought has drastically reduced its water levels, pushing the displaced fish toward Volos port. Unfortunately, these fish cannot survive in the saline waters of the Pagasetic Gulf and the Aegean Sea, leading to a significant accumulation of dead fish in the port area.
Response and Measures
In response to this environmental emergency, Greece’s Climate Minister Vassilis Papageorgiou announced the state of emergency, which will remain in effect until September 30. The declaration enables local authorities to mobilize additional resources and funding to address the crisis. Efforts to manage the situation have been ongoing, with regional authorities employing fishing trawlers and earthmovers to remove the dead fish. The fish are then transported to incinerators for disposal.
As of Thursday, authorities reported that 100 tons of dead fish had been removed from the area. Special nets have been placed at the mouth of the Xiria River to help contain the dead fish, and two additional boats are set to continue the recovery operation.
Economic and Legal Repercussions
The impact on the local economy has been severe. Tourism in Volos has plummeted by nearly 80% since the flooding last year, and the local restaurant and bar association has expressed concerns that the current situation could further deter visitors. The Chamber of Commerce in Volos has initiated legal action to seek damages for the substantial decrease in commercial activity.
Public outrage has also led to a formal investigation by the public prosecutor into the crisis. Volos’ mayor has criticized regional authorities for their slow response, highlighting the unbearable odor and the dire consequences for the city’s economy and quality of life.
