Overfishing leaves Gulf of Corinth full of jellyfish

The population of jellyfish in the Gulf of Corinth has risen significantly this year due to overfishing as well as changing sea currents, experts have warned.

“Jellyfish show us the extent of overfishing,” according to Stamatis Halvatzis, the president of the Association for the Protection and Balanced Development of the Gulf of Corinth. “Only when we lose the comforts we are used to do we realize the importance of protecting our natural wealth,” he said.

Panagiotis Panagiotidis, the head of the Hellenic Center for Marine Research, said the increased presence of jellyfish was a passing trend, attributing it to currents and winds. “I believe the phenomenon will pass,” he said.

The mayor of Corinth, Alexandros Pnevmatikos, was more concerned. “What is happening in the Gulf of Corinth is unprecedented,” he said, noting that action must be taken to stop overfishing in the “closed” sea.