Turkey Challenges Greek Fishing Restrictions in Aegean Waters

Turkey maintains that Greek sportfishing restrictions successful parts of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean beyond the country’s territorial waters are illegal. Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Krallis / CC BY SA 3

Turkey has spoken retired against Greek sportfishing restrictions successful parts of the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean beyond Greek territorial waters, saying the bans are unlawful—a determination that has further escalated tensions implicit maritime jurisdiction.

In a statement, Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said maps published connected the website of Greece’s Fisheries Control Directorate amusement sportfishing bans successful areas where, according to Ankara, Greece has nary ineligible authority. The Ministry argued that the restrictions interruption planetary law.

Turkey calls Greek maps “invalid”

The Turkish Foreign Ministry described the maps arsenic invalid, saying they make what it called imaginary maritime boundaries betwixt the 2 countries successful areas wherever nary authoritative delimitation exists. It besides said the maps interruption Turkish maritime jurisdiction.

According to the ministry, restrictions imposed by Greece connected sportfishing enactment beyond its six-nautical-mile territorial waters, including successful what Turkey considers planetary waters, person nary ineligible lasting for Ankara. “The amerciable restrictions imposed by Greece connected sportfishing activities beyond its six-nautical-mile territorial waters, successful areas wherever it has nary jurisdiction and successful planetary waters, are…invalid for Turkey,” the connection said.

Turkey warns against unilateral action

Ankara said it would not judge what it called unilateral and unlawful moves targeting the lawful activities of Turkish fishermen. The Ministry added that Turkey bases its presumption connected planetary instrumentality and what it described arsenic humanities rights.

At the aforesaid time, Turkey reiterated its enactment for what it called a sincere and broad attack to resolving disputes, based connected planetary law, equality, and bully neighborly relations. It besides referenced the Athens Declaration connected Friendly Relations and Good Neighborliness, signed connected December 7, 2023.

Turkey’s effect to Greek sportfishing restrictions raises concerns

Greek authorities person reportedly been expecting an summation successful violations and provocative actions, peculiarly involving Turkish fishing vessels.

In the past, specified vessels person entered Greek territorial waters successful parts of the Aegean, raising concerns successful Athens implicit a caller rhythm of friction astatine sea.