Court raps fish farms on Poros

In a ruling that is likely to set a precedent for similar cases in the future, two firms that maintained fish farms on the island of Poros have been found guilty of damaging the environment between 2005 and 2009.

A Piraeus court handed down jail sentences to eight employees of the two companies, which will also have to pay fines. “The municipality took the action that was needed to protect the area,” said Poros Mayor Dimitris Stratigos.

“We are not against legal fish farms,” said Manolis Tsakiris, the head of an environmental organization and a councilor on the nearby island of Hydra. “We are not against development or the growth of a particular sector. However, we are against those who act illegally and in their avarice destroy everything, including themselves.”

The two companies, Nireus and Dias, have appealed the decision. Dias managing director Stefanos Manellis denied his company polluted the environment and said he was sure the decision would be overturned.

Ekathimerini.com