MeSFiDE

2nd PARTNER MEETING

15-16 December 2006
Athens, Greece

December 2006
 COMPLETED ACTIONS
-Project Start-up and Management

Preparation of the Project’s Proposal and reformation of

budgets.
Approval of the Project by the Prefectural Council of
Heraklion
Demand for financing by the Prefectural Authority of
Heraklion and approval for 20.000 €
Prefect’s decision for the constitution of a 3 member
Committee having specified roles for the smooth
function of the project’s implementation
Proclamation of job vacancies for external personnel
Attendance in the 1st Transnational Meeting of
MeSFiDE project in Palermo (26-29 July 2006)

Cooperation with the Prefecture’s Directorates involved

in this project, i.e. Directorate of Fishery, Directorate of
Secretarial Support of Collective Bodies, Directorate of
Planning and Management of Programs and
Investments in order to constitute the Work Team

Research for the existing situation of fishery in European

and in local level as well as the possibilities for further
development of this sector
Briefing of the Member of the European Parliament,
Mr. Stavros Arnaoutakis, concerning the objectives of
the project and collaboration for the promotion
Convention with the Hellenic Centre for Marine
Research for their scientific contribution to the project
Convention with biologist for the scientific contribution to
the project
Collection of information about the fishermen, the
piscatorial fleet and the fishmongers in the Prefecture of
Heraklion
Distribution of questionnaires to a number of fishermen
and institutions
Purchase of technological equipment for the support of
the project
Printing of folders for the project
Realisation of informative meeting with all the involved
and direct interested institutions as well as with
delegations of associations of fishermen of the
Prefecture of Heraklion
Statistical analysis of the questionnaires that were given
to the fishermen
Realisation of the 2nd informative meeting of the
fishermen of the South coast of the island with the
participation of the Prefect of Heraklion, the directress of
the Directorate of Fishery and the Harbor Master of the
Port Authority of Kokkinos Pyrgos
Taking pictures of the place that fish are sold in the
harbor of Heraklion and in the market of the town
Contact with the Hellenic Food Authority in order to give
us information about the quality certifications and the
European legislation about fish
Gathering of traditional recipes
We mention below the conclusions that
resulted from the meeting:

The informative meeting of MeSFiDE and THON.DOC

was attended by representatives of institutions and
fishery associations. At the meeting, the two European
projects MeSFiDE and THON.DOC, concerning the
fishery sector, were presented along with their
objectives. The problems associated with the coastal
fishery in the Hellenic space and in the local area were
also discussed.

More specifically, the issues that should be taken into

consideration:
Harmonisation of the national legislation with that of the
European Community. Legislative readjustment of the
piscatorial periods.

The fact that the young people do not tend to become

occupied in fishery. The majority of the personnel
working in fishing boats are immigrants.

The insufficient education of the fishermen, which may

lead to the unintentional damage of the marine
ecosystem (fishing of protected species, fishing of small
fishes due to the use of small nets etc.)

Over fishing.
Sea Pollution by chloride from the swimming-pools of
the hotels and by the waste water produced by the olive-
oil factories.

Fishermen from other countries make use of a more

developed technology. Larger piscatorial ships are used
and thus bigger quantities are fished in international
waters.

Lack of a fish-pier within the boundaries of Heraklion

district.

The rules for hygiene are not usually followed at the

fishing markets.
Insufficient representation of the fishermen in their
associations.

Mesarra's gulf has a severe pollution problem.

For the above issues, the following were proposed:

For the legislative reformation we should address to the

Ministry of Agriculture, which is responsible for the
legislation that refers to the fishermen.
To create a School of Fishery in which the fishermen will
have the opportunity to learn the suitable piscatorial
periods for the different fish species and the fish biology.
In this way, they will be well informed about the
reproduction periods of each fish and they will be able to
avoid fishing these species during the forbidden periods.

To create a Registry of Fishermen, in which only the

professionals will be included. Funding subsidy will be
given only to the professional fishermen.
To aid fish farming development in Cretan waters by the
consortium of fishermen.

To create a fish-pier, with suitable storing facilities and

space for saling fish. The fishermen would prefer the
central facilities to be based in Heraklion, and a branch
to be created at the southern region of the island.

The law 16/26 should be strictly applied, to clearly

determine the limits of each fishing region.
To continue the efforts currently active at European
level, regarding the coding of piscatorial tools, in order to
be clarified which tools are permitted for use and which
are not.

To create the proper conditions, in order the profession

of fisherman to become competitive and profitable, thus
motivating young people enter this profession.

Subsidies have to be provided to fishermen whose boats

or equipment have been destroyed due to bad weather
conditions or by big fishes.
Fishermen, having smaller boats, should be entitled to
receive financial support in order to purchase larger
fishing boats for their profession to become viable.

Producers need to be grouped into organisations, for the

management of fish catches in the fish market. In this
way, they can claim better prices and also to negotiate
more favourable legislation for them.

Establishment of a “Maritime Week” with the event of

“Fisherman’s Feast”, to strengthen the relationship
between fishermen and consumers.
Photos of the 1st informative meeting
 Thank you for your attention

Prefecture Authority of Heraklion

December 2006