A climate-related mass die-off has resulted in more than 100 tons of dead fish accumulating at a port in Greece.

 

VOLOS, Greece (AP) — Authorities reported Thursday that over 100 tons of dead fish have been collected in and around the port of Volos, central Greece, due to a mass die-off attributed to extreme weather fluctuations.

The affected freshwater fish were found in the bay, located 320 kilometers (200 miles) north of Athens, as well as in nearby rivers. The region's water levels rose due to flooding in 2023, followed by prolonged periods of severe drought.

This fish die-off has severely impacted local businesses along the seafront, leading to an 80% decrease in commercial activity over the last three days, according to the Volos Chamber of Commerce.

To address the situation, regional authorities have chartered fishing trawlers and earthmovers to collect the dead fish from the sea and transport them via truck to an incinerator.

The fish originated from Lake Karla, which was drained in the early 1960s and restored in 2018 to help mitigate drought impacts.

“There are millions of dead fish stretching from Lake Karla and extending 20 kilometers (12 miles) eastward,” reported Anna Maria Papadimitriou, the deputy regional governor of central Thessaly, on state-run television.

“Currently, a massive cleanup effort is underway to remove the millions of dead fish that have washed up along the shorelines and riverbanks, with multiple contractors involved in the operation,” she added.

Water levels surged suddenly in the fall of 2023 due to a devastating storm that caused significant flooding in central Greece. However, they have since decreased due to low rainfall and ongoing summer heatwaves.

The mayor of Volos criticized the regional authority for its slow response, while the city’s Chamber of Commerce announced it would pursue legal action seeking damages following a drastic decline in commercial activity.

“Businesses along the seafront, particularly in the catering sector, are now halting operations,” the chamber stated. “The overwhelming stench along the coastline is repulsive to both residents and visitors, posing a serious threat to tourism in Volos.” 

Gatopoulos reported from Athens, Greece.