Authorities in central Greece reported Thursday that over 100 tons of dead fish have been collected around the port of Volos following a massive die-off attributed to extreme weather changes.
The deceased freshwater fish were found in the bay, located 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Athens, and in surrounding rivers. The water levels in these areas had risen due to severe flooding in 2023, which was followed by a prolonged period of drought.
This environmental disaster has severely impacted local businesses along the seafront, with commercial activity dropping by 80% over the past three days, according to the Volos Chamber of Commerce.
Regional authorities have enlisted the help of fishing trawlers and earthmovers to remove the dead fish from the water and transport them to an incinerator.
The fish originated from Lake Karla in central Greece, a body of water that was drained in the early 1960s but was restored in 2018 to help mitigate the effects of drought.
“There are millions of dead fish stretching from Lake Karla all the way 20 kilometers (12 miles) eastward,” said Anna Maria Papadimitriou, the deputy regional governor of Thessaly, in an interview with state-run television.
“A significant cleanup effort is currently underway to remove the millions of dead fish that have washed up along shorelines and riverbanks, involving multiple contractors,” she added.
Water levels in the area rose sharply in the fall of 2023 during a devastating storm that caused widespread flooding in central Greece. However, these levels have since fallen due to low rainfall and successive summer heatwaves.
The mayor of Volos criticized the regional authority for its slow response, while the city’s Chamber of Commerce announced plans to pursue legal action for damages caused by the sharp decline in commercial activity.
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“Businesses along the seafront, especially those in the catering industry, are now suspending operations,” the chamber stated. “A strong odor along the seafront is driving away both residents and visitors, delivering a significant blow to tourism in Volos.”
