At 92, Captain Dimitris Polyzoidis still goes out to sea from Eretria in Evia to work as a professional fisherman. Now, a lifetime spent fishing has led to an unusual new challenge. Polyzoidis has submitted an application to Guinness World Records to be considered for the title of the world’s oldest active professional fisherman.
A 6.5-Hour Fishing Trip at 92
The attempt took place on August 13, 2026. Polyzoidis left the port of Eretria at around 3:30 a.m. aboard his wooden fishing boat, Grigorios. Three official witnesses accompanied him throughout the trip.
For the next six and a half hours, the 92-year-old carried out the work of a commercial fisherman himself. He navigated the boat, set the nets and longline by hand, and later hauled the fishing gear back aboard. He returned to Eretria at 10 a.m. with his catch.
The work did not end when the boat reached the harbor. Polyzoidis then continued with the tasks needed to prepare the fishing gear, including clearing the nets and resetting the longline.
The three witnesses signed statements documenting the attempt. His son, Polyzois Polyzoidis, subsequently submitted the application to Guinness World Records.
A Lifetime Connected to the Sea
Polyzoidis has spent decades working in the waters around Eretria, where fishing remains closely connected to the local community.
His story is not simply about age. It is also about a profession that demands early starts, physical work and knowledge built through years on the water.
That connection with the sea is now part of an application that could bring international attention to his story.
Guinness Will Decide Whether the Record Is Recognized
Polyzoidis has not yet been recognized as a Guinness World Records holder.
His son has submitted the evidence for the organization to review, and the family is now waiting for the official assessment. The application includes witness statements documenting the August fishing trip.
Guinness World Records requires evidence for record attempts, including witness statements and other documentation relevant to the specific record category. The organization makes the final decision after reviewing the submitted evidence.
For now, the 92-year-old fisherman remains a candidate rather than a record holder.
And while the Guinness application has put his name on an international stage, his daily connection with the sea remains much more familiar: leaving the harbor before dawn, working the nets and returning with the day’s catch.
For a fisherman from Eretria, that routine has lasted for decades. At 92, it is still going.
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