Environment and Ecology Research Vol. 6(6), pp. 583 - 592
DOI: 10.13189/eer.2018.060608
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Status of Fisheries at Megali Prespa Lake and Mikri Prespa Lake, Greece, Based on a Census of Fishermen's Opinions

Giorgos Catsadorakis ^1,*, Eleni Papadopoulou ¹, Michalis Petrakos ², Irene Koutseri ^1
1 Society for the Protection of Prespa, Lemos, 530 77 Agios Germanos, Greece
² Municipality of Prespa, Lemos, 530 77 Agios Germanos, Greece

ABSTRACT

Prespa is a remote mountain area in NW Greece, with two lakes shared between three countries. Monitoring data about fish and fisheries are absent. This paper presents the results of a census, designed to explore the socio-economic status of commercial capture fisheries based on data obtained from fishermen themselves. Interviews were held in 2012 with 51 persons owning or participating in the 53 fishing businesses of the area. Fisheries importance for local economy has shrunk but its role in employment, especially for the tertiary sector and its cultural dimensions retain some significance. Differences in fisheries between the two lakes were attributed mainly to environmental and physical differences. Fishermen number declines and age increases. Initial investment for starting a business was close to the average for other European countries. Fishing methods used are mostly passive and less demanding in investment and effort. The average yield (2.06 tonnes / fishing business) were close to the average values for Greece and other European countries. Income from fisheries represented c. 1.4% of the local annual gross product. Fishing has a good potential to survive as a supplementary occupation. The main issue that relates to the transboundary nature of the two lakes is the need for harmonised management measures and restrictions.

KEYWORDS
Commercial Inland Capture Fisheries, Local Economy, Fish, Transboundary, Management

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Giorgos Catsadorakis , Eleni Papadopoulou , Michalis Petrakos , Irene Koutseri , "Status of Fisheries at Megali Prespa Lake and Mikri Prespa Lake, Greece, Based on a Census of Fishermen's Opinions," Environment and Ecology Research, Vol. 6, No. 6, pp. 583 - 592, 2018. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2018.060608.

(b). APA Format:
Giorgos Catsadorakis , Eleni Papadopoulou , Michalis Petrakos , Irene Koutseri (2018). Status of Fisheries at Megali Prespa Lake and Mikri Prespa Lake, Greece, Based on a Census of Fishermen's Opinions. Environment and Ecology Research, 6(6), 583 - 592. DOI: 10.13189/eer.2018.060608.