Fish in the Ionian Sea

• About Trigono-Lamda
• Index
• Cafe
• Methoni
• Wildlife
• Greece
• Greek Design

More information

• Reptiles
• Insects
• birds

The Ionian sea supports a wealth of fish and other sea creatures including eels, octopus, squid, lobsters, crabs and jellyfish. When the sea is calm it is easy to see the fish swimming in shoals and some locals fish from the pier at Methoni, using bread on a hook at the end of a line wound round a small plastic reel - no fishing rod! The deeper water at Pylos harbour is a good place to look out for shoals of fish too. The best time to fish is apparently at dawn. Some traditional fishing boats still go out from Methoni harbour, but fewer each year.

Managing Fish stocks

In times past fish stocks were managed easily because fishing boats were smaller and supplies were caught for local use so demand was limited. Local boats still go out from Methoni and the traditional limiting of catch by weather, what can be hauled aboard, and by season still occurs. However, there are now quotas, and many boats have been broken up over the past few years so that larger boats can have higher quotas.

There are also fish farms where the growth and harvest of fish can be managed to ensure a supply to meet market requirements without damaging wild fish stocks.

"Maridas" are the small silvery coloured fish (Psari), eaten, fried in a light batter, from October into Winter. Another popular fish is mullet (Kefalos) and I have seen very pretty small striped fish in Pylos harbour that may be Serranus scriba - painted comber (Greek name: perka) or Sea bream (mourmouri). Harvest from the sea provides much of the staple diet locally.

Sea turtles (Kareta Kareta) can be found in the Messinia area, at protected sites.

Useful Links to other sites

World Sea Fishing

Photos of Fish - Excellent photos with Greek names listed!

copyright:©2007-2010 Trigono-Lamda,trigonogroves.com