Sea Shepherd Removes Illegal Octopus Traps in Greece

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

In northern Greece, the environmental group Sea Shepherd has been working alongside local authorities to tackle a growing problem in the Aegean Sea: illegal octopus traps. These traps, often made of unmarked plastic pots, are placed on the seabed to catch octopuses.

Unfortunately, many fishermen leave these traps in the sea for too long or fail to follow regulations, which harms both marine life and the ecosystem.

Since early July 2025, the Sea Shepherd crew has rescued more than 1,500 octopuses and removed thousands of illegal traps from the seabed. These efforts have highlighted the importance of protecting marine life and enforcing fishing laws to preserve biodiversity in the region.

What Are Illegal Octopus Traps?

Illegal octopus traps are usually plastic pots that mimic the natural shelters octopuses use for protection. Fishermen place these pots on the sea floor to catch octopuses, but laws in northern Greece state that these traps must be removed at the end of June and redeployed in October. The goal is to allow octopus populations to reproduce safely during the summer breeding season.

However, some fishermen ignore these rules and leave the traps in the water year-round. Over time, this leads to overfishing, reduces octopus numbers, and disrupts the balance of marine ecosystems. Additionally, abandoned traps often break down into smaller plastic debris, contributing to marine pollution and harming other sea creatures.

Sea Shepherd’s Mission

Sea Shepherd is a global environmental group known for protecting marine life. In northern Greece, volunteers work aboard the Sea Eagle vessel to locate and remove illegal traps from the sea. The team uses a combination of divers, sonar equipment, and manual retrieval methods to identify the traps and safely extract them from the seabed.

• Since July 2025, the crew has:
• Removed thousands of unmarked traps from the sea.
• Collected approximately 288 kilometers (179 miles) of fishing line left in the water.
• Rescued over 1,500 octopuses, returning them to safer areas in the sea.
• This work is critical in protecting the octopus population, which is both ecologically and economically important in Greece.

Why Illegal Traps Are a Problem

Illegal octopus traps have multiple negative effects on the marine environment. First, leaving traps in the water year-round results in overfishing, which decreases octopus populations and threatens the balance of the ecosystem. Second, many of these traps are made from plastic, which can break down into microplastics, polluting the water and harming other marine life.

Octopuses are also highly intelligent creatures with complex behaviors. Traps that capture them unfairly or leave them trapped for long periods cause unnecessary suffering. Removing illegal traps helps protect these creatures and ensures their populations remain healthy for future generations.

Methods Used to Remove Traps

• Sea Shepherd volunteers use several techniques to remove illegal octopus traps effectively:
• Diving Teams: Divers carefully locate traps and release any captured octopuses before lifting the traps to the surface.
• Sonar and Mapping: Modern sonar equipment helps identify trap locations, even in deep or murky waters.
• Manual Retrieval: Some traps are removed manually using ropes and nets to prevent damage to the surrounding seabed.

The team also carefully records the number of traps removed, the condition of the octopuses, and the amount of fishing line recovered. This data helps authorities understand the scale of illegal fishing activities and take further action.

Rescuing Octopuses

A key part of the operation is rescuing octopuses caught in these illegal traps. Volunteers gently remove octopuses and return them to safe areas of the sea. Octopuses are highly sensitive to environmental changes, so careful handling is necessary to ensure their survival.

Sea Shepherd’s efforts have saved more than 1,500 octopuses since July 2025. This not only protects an important marine species but also supports local ecosystems, as octopuses play a crucial role in controlling the population of smaller marine animals and maintaining the food chain.

Broader Impact Across Europe

The issue of illegal octopus trapping is not confined to Greece. Similar problems exist in other parts of Europe, including Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Rising global demand for octopus, combined with climate change affecting marine life, has increased pressure on octopus populations across the Mediterranean.

In Greece, octopus is a traditional and culturally important food. As a result, illegal traps are particularly concerning because they threaten both biodiversity and local fishing traditions. Efforts to remove illegal traps help maintain sustainable fishing practices while protecting the environment.

Cooperation with Local Authorities

Sea Shepherd does not work alone. The group collaborates closely with Greek authorities, including the coast guard and environmental agencies, to ensure that illegal fishing activities are addressed legally. Authorities may issue fines or sanctions to those caught leaving traps in violation of the law.

This cooperation ensures that efforts are not just about removing traps temporarily but also about creating long-term solutions. Education and enforcement play a key role in preventing future violations.

Environmental Significance

Removing illegal traps has significant environmental benefits. It reduces overfishing, prevents plastic pollution, and allows octopus populations to recover. Healthy octopus populations contribute to balanced marine ecosystems by controlling populations of smaller marine animals, which in turn supports the overall biodiversity of the region.

Plastic debris from broken traps can take hundreds of years to decompose, causing long-term damage. By removing these traps, Sea Shepherd also helps reduce microplastic pollution, which is increasingly recognized as a major environmental threat to oceans worldwide.

Challenges Faced

• The crew faces several challenges during the operation:
• Depth and Accessibility: Some traps are located in deep or hard-to-reach areas.
• Weather Conditions: Storms and rough seas can delay operations.
• Volume of Traps: Thousands of traps may be left in a single area, making removal labor-intensive.
• Fishermen Resistance: Some fishermen may resist or avoid regulations, requiring careful coordination with authorities.
• Despite these challenges, the Sea Shepherd team has shown dedication and persistence, successfully removing thousands of traps in a short period.

Education and Awareness

Part of Sea Shepherd’s mission is to educate local communities about the importance of sustainable fishing. By raising awareness, they encourage fishermen to follow legal practices and protect marine life. Workshops, community meetings, and media coverage help spread the message that healthy oceans benefit everyone.

Future Outlook

Sea Shepherd plans to continue monitoring the Aegean Sea and other areas in Greece to ensure that illegal traps do not return. Continuous patrols, combined with stricter enforcement of fishing laws, will help protect octopus populations and the broader marine environment.

Long-term strategies include:

• Expanding rescue and removal operations to other affected regions.
• Collaborating with international partners to address illegal fishing practices.
• Promoting sustainable fishing methods and equipment to minimize environmental harm.

Illegal octopus traps pose a serious threat to marine life, ecosystems, and local fishing communities. Sea Shepherd’s dedicated efforts in northern Greece have successfully removed thousands of traps and saved over 1,500 octopuses since July 2025.

These operations highlight the importance of enforcing fishing regulations, educating communities, and taking immediate action to protect marine biodiversity. As climate change and rising demand for seafood continue to pressure marine ecosystems, groups like Sea Shepherd play a crucial role in ensuring that oceans remain healthy and sustainable for future generations.

The combination of volunteer dedication, modern technology, and cooperation with authorities provides a model for other countries facing similar challenges. By removing illegal traps and rescuing marine life, Sea Shepherd is helping to create a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable future for Greece’s oceans.