VOLOS, Greece (AP) — Authorities reported on Thursday that over 100 tons of dead fish have been found in and around the port of Volos, a city in central Greece. This mass die-off is believed to be caused by extreme weather changes.
The dead freshwater fish have filled the bay located about 320 kilometers (or 200 miles) north of Athens, as well as nearby rivers. The situation worsened after heavy flooding in 2023, which was followed by prolonged periods of severe drought.
This die-off has significantly impacted local businesses along the seafront, causing a dramatic 80% decrease in commercial activity over the past three days, as reported by Volos’ Chamber of Commerce.
In response to the crisis, regional authorities have hired fishing trawlers and earthmovers to help remove the dead fish from the waters and transport them to an incinerator.
The fish originated from Lake Karla, which was drained in the early 1960s but was restored in 2018 to help mitigate drought effects.
“Millions of dead fish are spreading all the way from Lake Karla and extending 20 kilometers (12 miles) eastward,” said Anna Maria Papadimitriou, the deputy regional governor of the central Thessaly region, in an interview with state-run television.
“Currently, there is a massive cleanup effort in progress to remove the millions of dead fish that have washed up along the shorelines and riverbanks. This involves multiple contractors working together,” she explained.
In the fall of 2023, water levels rose sharply due to a deadly storm that caused severe flooding in central Greece. However, they have since decreased because of low rainfall and consecutive summer heat waves.
The mayor of Volos criticized the regional authorities for their slow response, and the Chamber of Commerce announced plans to pursue legal action to seek compensation for the significant reduction in business activity.
“Seafront businesses, especially those in the food service sector, are now suspending their operations,” the chamber stated. “The strong smell from the dead fish is unpleasant for both residents and tourists, significantly damaging tourism in Volos.”
Gatopoulos reported from Athens, Greece.
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