Alonissos: an example to follow for the creation of other National Marine Parks.
The Alonissos Fishing Association welcomes the creation of National Marine Parks in other areas, for the protection of fish stocks and at the same time the environment. Without this protection, traditional fishing would have disappeared once and for all.
The restriction of fishing areas in our area (e.g. the core of the Park, Piperi Island), the restriction of fishing gear, the reduction of recreational fishing, the round-the-clock guarding of the Park wherever it comes from, the crackdown on illegal fishing, the ticket and permit system for fishermen from other areas, have limited overfishing and environmental degradation in the Alonissos Marine Park.
These measures, combined with the cooperation of local fishermen in terms of conservation, have led to the following results:
– Survival of the fishing fleet of Alonissos until today.
– Keeping local coastal fishermen in our country, avoiding emigration.
– The situation in the Park of Alonissos is better than the rest of the Aegean, as studies show, in relation to fish stocks.
– Protection of the environment, the rich flora and fauna of our land.
– Promotion of Alonissos in the international tourism market.
The Alonissos Marine Park, with its proper operation, guarantees the future of fishing and tourism in our region. Through our many years of experience, we are sending a message to our fellow coastal fishermen from other regions to embrace the creation of Marine Parks.
Thinking about the future of our country and our children, we, the local coastal fishermen of Alonissos, say:
Man and environment together !
Yes to the Marine Park !
Yes to sustainable fishing !
The President of the Fishing Association of Alonissos
Ouranitsa Ioanna
