Greek authorities seize €800,000 in protected corals from yacht off Skopelos

Greek tax authorities have seized a yacht off the island of Skopelos that was being used to illegally harvest protected corals from the seabed.

The Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE), through its Directorate of Economic and Environmental Crime (DEOS), intercepted the vessel and confiscated marine specimens valued at approximately €800,000.

The operation targeted a mobile looting setup disguised as a leisure cruise.

Authorities discovered that the yacht was equipped for systematic extraction of protected marine life, which is strictly prohibited under Greek environmental law.

The seized corals are now in the custody of the tax authority for further investigation and potential prosecution.

This incident follows a broader wave of enforcement actions by Greek authorities against illicit maritime activities.