The Cooperative
The Agricultural Fisheries Cooperative of Etoliko "Agia Irini was established in 2008 with its headquarters in Etoliko of the Municipality of Messolonghi of the Prefecture of Aitoloakarnania and is governed by the provisions of Law No. 4673/2020. The cooperative is registered in the National Register of Agricultural Cooperatives and other collective bodies under the number AM 0701027. It is governed by a five-member Board of Directors and a General Assembly. Its members are professional fishermen who live and work in the Municipality of Messolonghi. The cooperative is a member of the Association of Fishing Cooperatives of Greek Lagoons.
The main purpose of the cooperative is the leasing and exploitation of the fish farms of the lagoons directed by the Public Sector, the marketing of fish and the development of fishing tourism activities.
Until today since 2008 today it leases and operates the Schinias fish farm, and since 2011 until today it also operates the Komma fish farm of the Messolonghi-Etoliko Lagoon Complex. In 2012, it achieved the direct leasing of the fish farms due to good exploitation according to the leasing decision 289459/23006/7-12-2012, while this contract was terminated by the contract no. 331058/39539/10.12. 2015 Decision (ΑΔΑ: ΩΝΓΔΔ7Λ6-ΞΝ), it was extended until 28-2-2023, due to the implementation of an investment project included and implemented under the Operational Program Fishing 2007-2013. In 2022 the lease was extended until 28/2/2033 (a.π.οικ.ΠΔE/ΔΑOKPEAΙΤ/390344/58882/13.12.22).
During the years in which the cooperative operates it has implemented and participated in investment and researching programs with the purpose of the modernization of the fishing facilities and the improvement and rationalizations of the fishing management.
According to the evaluation expositions of the exploitation compiled by the competent Fisheries Services of the Region of Western Greece, the exploitation which the cooperative exercises has been characterized as successful.