In the last three weeks, more than 4,500 citizens and visitors in Greece filed complaints about public beach violations through the MyCoast app, released earlier this year.
The largest number of complaints concerned public beaches in Halkidiki (1,396 complaints), Preveza (873 complaints), Eastern Attica (570 complaints), the Cyclades islands (409 complaints), Corfu (325 complaints), and the Dodecanese islands (163 complaints).
Most violations filed concerned lack of signage, the unauthorized placement of umbrellas and sun beds, illegal constructions, public beach use without concession contracts.
Inspections were carried out by Finance Ministry squads and Greek Police units at 150 beaches and 750 bars and cafes in the last three weeks, the ministry said, adding that the situation on public beaches had improved compared to previous years with businesses conforming to the rules.
According to the ministry report, coast infringements were found on Rhodes and Corfu, and in Messolonghi, Volos, Parga, Thessaloniki, and Heraklion. Fines imposed in the given period came to a total of 800,000 euros.
The Greek government launched the MyCoast app earlier this year in efforts to clamp down on beach and shoreline use violations in response to mounting frustration over the illegal use of public beaches by commercial interests.
