The total co-funded public expenditure for the pilot program for rabbitfish management, which begins today, amounts to 1.5 million euros, as announced by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
The program covers the South Aegean and Crete Regions, which are invited to submit a joint proposal for the inclusion and funding of the project. Proposals must be submitted exclusively online via the OPS system by 2:00 p.m. on September 30, 2026.
The compensation for participating professional fishermen may reach up to 5.33 euros (net) per kilogram of rabbitfish caught, while the program also specifically provides for the necessary expenses related to the collection, temporary storage, transport, and management of the caught quantities, as well as the required equipment.
Among other things, the program provides for:
- Targeted fishing for rabbitfish with the active participation of professional coastal fishermen.
- Financial compensation for participating fishermen, which can reach up to 5.33 euros per kilogram of flounder caught.
- Scientific monitoring of the project.
- Recording, evaluation, and presentation of the results.
- Provision for the necessary infrastructure for the collection, temporary storage, recording, weighing, and management of the caught quantities.
- Publicity and public awareness campaigns.
The pilot phase of the program focuses geographically on the Region of Crete, where the largest concentration of rabbitfish populations in Greece is recorded, as well as on the South Aegean Region.
Finally, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food, the rabbitfish is one of the most problematic invasive alien species in Greek waters. Its spread has serious impacts on marine ecosystems, as it competes with or preys on native species, causes damage to fishing activities, and requires special handling due to its toxicity.