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A conflict between Greek and Turkish fishermen has escalated into gunfire. The Greeks claim that the Turks opened fire, while the incident, according to the Greek Coast Guard, took place in international waters.
"The Turkish fishermen never entered Greek territorial waters and remained in international waters at the time of their action," the Coast Guard announced regarding the serious incident that occurred on Tuesday evening between Turkish and Greek fishermen in the maritime area between Thassos and Samothrace.
The port authority also published a map showing the movements of the ships in question.
"Following reports of Turkish fishing vessels operating in the maritime area between Samothrace and Thassos, according to data from the competent Fisheries Control Directorate, the Turkish vessels remained in international waters throughout their operation and never entered Greek territorial waters.
The data is extracted from the European Fisheries Control Agency's Integrated Maritime Services (EFCA IMS) system. (A relevant map is attached showing the movements of Turkish fishing vessels in the evening hours of 2-09-2025)
This fact was confirmed by three Hellenic Coast Guard patrol vessels (PLS 614, PPLS 920 and PLS 1105) which arrived in the area and remained within the EXY zone.
"The competent prosecution authorities have been informed and a preliminary investigation is underway," an official response states.
Meanwhile, speaking to local media, the fisherman from Kavala, Pavlos Manolis, who, with his fishing boat west of Samothrace, was attacked, even with firearms, by Turkish fishermen, described the event as unprecedented.
"This ridiculous situation in the Aegean Sea, with Turkish fishing boats sailing within Greek territorial waters, even as far as the Cyclades, is taking on a new dimension of provocation, and many people fear that we may also mourn the victims."
This time, as seen in the video, the tension was caused approximately 5-10 miles west of Samothrace, when Pavlos Manolis, departing from Karamoti, Kavala, approached approximately 15 Turkish fishing vessels, which were using fishing methods prohibited by the European Union and European seas," writes Greek media outlet Newsbomb.gr.
"We approached them to protest because they were fishing with prohibited lights and nets. Their lights are ten times more powerful than allowed, while their nets destroy all fish stocks, young fish and often the entire seabed. Then, they started chasing us intensely, with the aim of sinking us. They had guns and started shooting at our boats," he describes.
The fisherman notes that Turkish fishing boats are twice as large as Greek ones, reaching 80 meters, while Greek boats usually reach up to 30 meters in length.
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