Climate crisis in Greece: Popular dish disappears from restaurant menus.

The extreme heat in Greece is causing problems in tourism and damage to aquaculture

This summer has been unusually hot in Greece, leading to issues in tourism. This has had an impact on mussels, which are a popular dish in Greek taverns. Due to adverse weather conditions, restaurant owners had to remove them from the menu. Mussel farms could not operate successfully due to the negative influence of the climate. This was reported by The Independent.

“This is the second Time in the last three years that record sea temperatures have adversely affected mussel harvesting in northern Greece. Farmers reported a 90% decline in 2024”, the article states.

Researchers also point out that extreme weather conditions associated with global warming could seriously damage aquaculture in Greece (cultivating edible water organisms - Glavcom).

In July 2024, the country heated up and the water temperature in the Thermaikos Bay, the main mussel cultivation area, exceeded 30 degrees Celsius for several days - too hot for mussels.

The last mass die-off of mussels in Greece occurred in 2021, but scientists had predicted it wouldn't happen again in the next 10 years. They were wrong.

“This shows everyone, even the most skeptical, that the climate crisis is already here... Many mussel farmers in Greece are on the verge of ruin, so the state must support them”, said biologist Kostas Kukaras, who researches marine ecosystems.

According to the Hellenic Aquaculture Producers Organization (HAPO), the production of edible water organisms in Greece brought in over 619 million euros in 2021, ranking third in Europe after France and Spain. Greece is one of the leading mussel producers in the Mediterranean and exports nearly 20,000 tons annually, grown on small family farms.

Most small aquaculture businesses in Greece are now on the brink of bankruptcy. They are demanding compensation from the government to cover their debts, while others are seeking new jobs.

Reminder: On September 30, two Ukrainian tourists drowned in Greece while relaxing on the island of Corfu.