Greek overseas fishing catches: historical analysis and trends

Abstract

The present study aims to describe Greek overseas fisheries from the beginning of the sector in the mid-20^th century up to today. The Greek overseas fisheries expanded, from the northern African countries to the Atlantic and Indian Ocean, peaking in the 1970s. However, starting in the 1990s, the sector exhibited a sharp decline in landings and active vessels, which was caused by several issues, such as the increased territorial restrictions, high operational costs, unorganized market structures, and insufficient fish processing facilities. The historical evolution of the Greek overseas fisheries highlights the need for improved market integration and smart policy interventions.