From AMORGORAMA CYCLADORAMA, with the commitment of the Greek Prime Minister 

The ceremony took place at the port of Aegiali, with the participation of the Minister of Rural Development and Food K. Tsiaras, the Minister of Environment and Energy S. Papastavrou, and the Mayor of Amorgos E. Karaiskos, who each delivered a brief greeting. The Minister of Environment and Energy was accompanied by the Secretary General for Natural Environment and Water P. Varelidis, as well as the President and CEO of the Natural Environment and Climate Change Agency (OFYPEKA), M. Papadopoulou and K. Triantis. 

Also in attendance were the Deputy Minister of Sports Giannis Vroutsis, Members of Parliament for the Cyclades, the Board of Directors of the Professional Fishing Association of Amorgos “Chozoviotissa,” and many members of the island’s local community. 

The welcoming and coordination of the event were undertaken by Ms. A. Mitropoulou, Executive Director of the Cyclades Preservation Fund (CPF) – partner of the AMORGORAMA initiative – who emphasized the highly symbolic and historic nature of the first-ever visit by a sitting Prime Minister to Amorgos. She described it as a historic day for the island and its fishing community and highlighted the collaborative spirit of the initiative as a key element of its success and a foundation for a sustainable future for Greece’s seas and coastal communities. 

In the same spirit, representing the Agricultural University of Athens – a partner of the initiative – Associate Professor Dr. S. Kalogirou stated:  “AMORGORAMA is a shining example of collective effort and the implementation of the quadruple helix model — where science, civil society, the fisheries sector, and the state collaborate with a common goal: the sustainable management of marine resources.” 

Highlighting AMORGORAMA as an example of Greece’s emerging leadership in marine protection at the European level, Commissioner Mr. Kadis said: “The European Commission has decided to highlight and promote such good practices so that they can serve as models — and within this set of exemplary initiatives at the European level, AMORGORAMA will hold a prominent position.” 

He also added that very soon, the state-of-the-art vessel OCEAN SENTINEL of the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) will arrive on the island. In cooperation with the competent Greek authorities, it will contribute to the monitoring of Amorgos’ Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs). 

A discussion followed with the participation of the Greek Prime Minister and two representatives of the Professional Fishing Association of Amorgos “Chozoviotissa”, the founding body of the AMORGORAMA initiative, represented by its President M. Krosman and Secretary G. Psakis. The discussion was moderated by A. Lazοu Dean, Senior Greece Project Manager for Blue Marine Foundation, a partner of the AMORGORAMA initiative. 

“You have already embraced AMORGORAMA, but today you are also sending the message that you are here for the next steps,” she noted, emphasizing the elements of collaboration, shared responsibility, and the government’s commitment to the effective management of Amorgos’ Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs) — particularly regarding monitoring, broader challenges, and the new opportunities that are emerging for the island, as well as for other fishing communities across the country. 

For his part, the Greek Prime Minister praised the initiative as a model of cross-sector collaboration and highlighted its potential as a “roadmap” for Greece’s fishing communities. 

“I truly want to express my admiration for the fact that AMORGORAMA was initiated by the local fishers themselves, who recognized the problem and took the step to propose a decisive solution to environmental organizations, the scientific community, and the state,” said the Prime Minister. “For me, AMORGORAMA is only the beginning — a model that can be expanded to many more islands and coastal areas. What I want to achieve — and where I ask for the cooperation of environmental organizations — is to create at least ten more initiatives like AMORGORAMA within a reasonable timeframe.” 

According to G. Psakis, the progress achieved through the initiative represents a hard-won first step — one that he hopes will pave an easier path for other Greek fishing communities wishing to follow the same course. 

“We have spent our whole lives at sea,” he noted. “The bureaucracy needs to be lighter. No one will start a new AMORGORAMA if the process isn’t faster. It cannot take 8 or 10 years — no fishers’ association could endure that. It’s very important.” 

The Prime Minister responded by committing to accelerate future fishers’ proposals for Fisheries Restricted Areas (FRAs): 

“The instructions I have given to the relevant ministries are absolutely clear: the next AMORGORAMA will not take 8 years — it will take 8 months. You have, therefore, my personal commitment: find the fishers’ associations, and leave the rest to us. And if we fail, come and hold us accountable.” 

“Fishers should participate in the Fisheries Council of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food — they have great experience and can be part of the solution,” stated M. Krosman, President of the Fishers’ Association. He also called on fishers to each take two steps back in order to support collective efforts for the common good of the sea.