Discovering AMORGORAMA: A journey to protect the seas of Amorgos

In a remote corner of the Aegean Sea, where the crystal-clear waters of Amorgos meet its rugged coastlines, a quiet yet impactful conservation movement is unfolding. This is AMORGORAMA – an extraordinary initiative that brings together fishers, conservationists led by Blue Marine Foundation, scientists, local authorities, civil society, and organisations like Burgess.

Recently, Burgess’ Nikolas Pantagias travelled to the island to experience the project first-hand and witness how Burgess' and Burgess clients' donations from the Saving Seagrass programme are being used.

Here’s what he discovered during his three days on Amorgos.

Day 1: A night on the ferry and an early morning arrival

Taking the nine-hour ferry from Athens to Amorgos, Nikolas arrived on the island in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Despite the late hour, the schedule for the next few days was firmly in place: meeting the local community, speaking with the island’s fishers, and exploring the waters where the project’s efforts are most visible.

On the journey, Nikolas was introduced to some of the people behind the project. One of the standouts was with Michalis Krossmann, a German who first visited Amorgos as a backpacker at the age of 20. He fell in love with the island, adopted a Greek name, and is now the president of the local Fishers’ Association. With his help, Nikolas began to learn about AMORGORAMA’s origins and its focus on protecting seagrass meadows, adopting a sustainable way of dealing with overfishing in the Aegean, creating marine protected areas (MPAs), and cleaning the island’s shores.

Day 2: Mapping seagrass and building trust

Waking up to a much quieter Amorgos than the bustling summer months, Nikolas met Michalis and Angela, the Blue Marine project manager for Greece, for breakfast at the port of Katapola. The day’s agenda took him to one of the proposed MPAs, between Agios Pavlos and Nikouria islet.

Aboard Captain Giannis’s fishing boat, Nikolas joined Dr Stefanos Kalogirou and his team from the Agricultural University of Athens to map the vital seagrass meadows using underwater cameras and diving equipment. This hands-on experience highlighted the fragility of these ecosystems and their critical importance to marine biodiversity.

Nikolas also met the island’s vice president of the Fishers’ Association, Michalis Bekris, to discuss the initiative’s four main objectives: increasing fish populations, establishing more MPAs, preventing seagrass damage while restoring existing meadows, uniting the community to clean the coasts.

The day ended with a walk around Chora, the island’s charming capital, and a group dinner with fishers involved in the project. Having felt alone up to this point, they expressed their gratitude for Burgess’ support investing in their small community.

Day 3: Early mornings and lasting impressions

Nikolas started his final day like a local fisher – at sunrise. Alongside Angela and Dr Stefanos’s team, he set out to the southern part of Amorgos, a proposed MPA called Kalotaritisa. Although the weather was less forgiving, the signs of recovery in the area were unmistakable. Fish that hadn’t been seen in years were now returning thanks to the fishers' efforts to avoid the area.

Nikolas also visited one of the island’s last remaining wooden fishing boat carpenters, George, and his son, one of Amorgos’s youngest fishers. Their deep connection to the sea and commitment to its preservation were inspiring.

The journey wrapped up with a final group dinner, a lively gathering filled with shared stories and discussions about what lies ahead. Nikolas observed the palpable pride and optimism radiating from the locals, who found comfort in the knowledge that we are steadfastly supporting them.

A partnership with purpose

AMORGORAMA’s initiatives showcase the incredible strength found in teamwork. By compensating fishers during off-seasons, this programme not only allows marine ecosystems to recover but also nurtures a sustainable mindset within the local community.

For Nikolas, the journey was not just an educational opportunity; it served as a powerful reminder of how even modest, targeted actions can significantly contribute to the health of our oceans. The AMORGORAMA project, backed by Burgess, our clients, and Blue Marine, is setting the stage for a more sustainable and hopeful future for Amorgos and beyond.

As Nikolas reflected on his experiences on the island, one thing was clear: while there is still much work ahead, the passion and commitment of this tight-knit community are truly uplifting.

'AMORGORAMA stands as a beacon of hope for protecting our seas: the vital ecosystems that shelter marine life and combat climate change.

'Above all, to me, AMORGORAMA is a strong force of unity and determination from the local fishers to protect their island and its waters. Having met and talked with most of the key figures, I believe we should all do more to help. This help will not be visible just to Amorgos. It’s the starting point to get everyone in Greece and the Mediterranean Sea alerted and informed of how small actions bring great results.

'I personally look forward to going back to the island in spring meet with all the fishers and assist with the shore clean-up.

'To close with a quote from Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”'

Find out more about Saving Seagrass or Burgess' other conservation efforts. You, too, can make a difference.