Kotychi, Protected wetland and lagoon in West Greece Region, Greece

Kotychi is a lagoon of 3.7 km² in northwestern Elis, on the border between the municipal units of Lechaina and Vouprasia, 23 km north of Amaliada and 45 km southwest of Patras. It connects to the Ionian Sea and forms part of the Kotychi-Strofylia wetland national park, a network of lagoons, lakes, marshes and forests along the coast. Its fish include sea bass, grey mullet, sea bream and eel.

Kotychi is part of the Kotychi-Strofylia wetland national park, a network of lagoons, lakes, marshes and forests along the northwestern Peloponnese coast. The lagoon and its neighbours, including the Prokopos lagoon and the Lamia and Papa marshes, are protected under the Ramsar Convention. The wetland is also covered by national and European legislation.

Fishing is a way of life for people in the nearby villages, who continue using methods that have been passed down through generations. This connection between the community and the water shapes how the place is valued and cared for today.

The site is accessible by car from nearby towns, and walking around the perimeter or using designated paths is the best way to observe the area. Information and access points can be found in the surrounding villages that serve as entry points to the lagoon.

Kotychi's fish fauna includes sea bass, flathead mullet, gilt-head bream and European eel, which is why the lagoon is worked as a fishing ground. The wetland also serves as a resting stop for migratory birds such as herons, bee-eaters, swallows and hoopoes.