In 2022, Sea Shepherd Crews set a new record in the fight against illegal fishing: 7,672 octopus traps recovered off the coast of Tuscany. Hundreds of octopuses were freed—most just moments from death. Since then, we’ve seen a sharp drop in trap numbers there. Why? Because poachers now know that if they break the law, Sea Shepherd will be there to intercept them—and remove every last trap.
Now we’re bringing that same pressure to Greece.
After a reconnaissance mission last year recovered 6,500 traps in just 17 days, we returned this summer with full force. Our ship, the Sea Eagle, was invited to Northern Greece by local authorities including the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the Fisheries Department of Xanthi, and supported by the Hellenic Association of Ichthyologists. With guidance from the Greek Coast Guard, we launched a campaign on July 4 to rid the seafloor of illegal traps and defend Greece’s octopus population.
And the numbers? Beyond anything we expected.
In just the first four days, our crew recovered 4,650 illegal traps—each one an underwater death chamber for marine life. Greek law prohibits octopus trap fishing from July to September, so every trap pulled up is a violation. Every freed octopus is a life saved.
Our crew works around the clock, pulling in trap after trap, freeing wildlife, and hauling heavy bags of illegal gear back to port. After ten hours of nonstop effort, the Sea Eagle arrives at night covered in confiscated traps—her crew exhausted, but proud. It’s a sight that proves how crucial this campaign is.
Watch Sea Shepherd’s 2022 Octopus Campaign Video
This mission will break all previous records. Over the next 75 days, we expect to recover tens of thousands of traps. And we’re not stopping until the octopus population in Greece begins to recover—just like it did in Italy.
This is how we fight illegal fishing: with ships, skilled crews, and the will to confront destruction head-on. With the help of supporters around the world, Sea Shepherd is turning the tide.
We’ll be sharing updates throughout the campaign—stay tuned. The Mediterranean needs defenders. And we’re here.
