Shore wars: Greeks battle to save beaches from invasion of commercial sunbeds – the Guardian
In the depth of August, when the cicadas sing and the sun burns bright, Archilochos cultural centre on Paros is not usually a hive of activity. If anything, that is reserved for the bars and beaches of a Cycladic isle increasingly drawing le beau monde.
But last week, as Greece’s great summer exodus peaked, the Archilochos was alive to the sound of debate. And, as in weeks gone past, it was a debate ignited by the state of play on the beaches that have become synonymous with pricey sunbeds and greedy entrepreneurs…
‘Reclaim the Beach’ movement in Halkidiki – Protests in Nikiti and Potidaia – the Greek City Times
Two protests took place on Sunday in Nikiti and Potidaia of Halkidiki in the context of the “reclaim the beach” movement, also known as “the towel movement,” which is fighting against the illegal placements of chairs and lounges on public beaches.
Those who participated in the demonstrations shouted slogans and expressed their opposition to abuses by beach bars…
Paros Island Council Backs Take Back Beaches Movement – Next Year – the National Herald
Limited in its authority, the municipal council on the island of Paros that’s overrun with unlawful businesses occupying public beaches and charging users for umbrellas and lounge beds said there should be inspections.
But officials on the island said the overall jurisdiction belongs to the Finance Ministry, with the government leasing space on prime spots to private operators although there are many that have unlawfully taken over beaches…
Angry Greeks Take Back Public Beach Movement Grows, State Reacts – the National Herald
The spread of take back public beaches movement in rebellion against private interests blocking access and charging for renting sunbeds and umbrellas has spurred Greece’s government into promising violators would be punished.
The ruling New Democracy has, like previous governments, done little to prevent the takeover of public beaches that has proliferated, especially on islands, in a bid to lure more foreign tourists, enriching the companies using public lands…
His family fished for generations. Now he’s hauling plastic out of the sea – the Washington Post
One catch at a time, Lefteris Arapakis is cleaning the Mediterranean.
It was Lefteris Arapakis’s first expedition on a fishing boat, and he didn’t expect what the nets would pull up.
There were scorpionfish, red mullet and sea bream. But there was also a bright red can of Coke…