From April 2024 until today, 80 fishing vessels have been modernised, whilst, for the first time, small-scale coastal fishing professionals have been able to benefit from grant schemes covering 100 per cent of eligible expenditure, with no private contribution required, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, Christos Senekis said addressing the 1st Fish Festival – Fishermen’s and the Liopetri River Festival on Thursday evening. He added that the compensation scheme for damage caused to fish catches by dolphins and other protected marine mammals is continuing, supporting around 300 professional fishermen each year, whilst ‘since the scheme came into effect in 2025, compensation totalling €1 million has already been paid out, whilst total support is expected to reach €4 million by 2029.