One of the key topics of this year’s Elafonisos Eco Week was “Blue Opportunities.” During the conferences on the second day, Aggelos Tsirigotakis, Mayor of Elafonisos, opened his speech by highlighting the focus on the sea, which is central to the island’s identity, economy, and culture. He emphasized the importance of sustainable economic practices connected to the marine environment.
He pointed out the growing threats to the sea, including climate change, pollution, rising water temperatures and invasive species like lionfish. These challenges endanger both ecosystems and the livelihoods of local fishing communities.
Aggelos Tsirigotakis underlined the need to shift from exploiting the sea to protecting and managing it sustainably. He stressed Elafonisos’s commitment to becoming a pioneer in marine sustainability by supporting research, promoting lionfish consumption, and involving local fishermen.
He concluded with a clear vision: to make Elafonisos a model island for the blue economy, proving that environmental protection and economic activity can go hand in hand.