This study explores the technical and scale efficiency of the small scale and the bottom trawlers, coastal fisheries in Greece. The issue of efficiency is explored using an input oriented data envelopment analysis model. Moreover, the association of technical and scale efficiency scores with several characteristics of the vessel as well as characteristics of the skipper were also explored. Results indicate that small-scale vessels achieve a low average technical efficiency of 0.54 but much higher scale efficiency (0.80). The results of the analysis also indicate that in coastal fisheries, smaller vessels have the ability to better manage their resources. On the other hand, bottom trawlers achieve high scale but also technical efficiency scores. One important finding of the analysis is that in coastal fisheries, unlike trawlers, technical efficiency is positively correlated with the age and therefore the experience of the skipper. In a looser context, it can be said that small scale coastal fisheries mainly rely on skills, while bottom trawlers fisheries rely on science. Finally, this study suggests that there is room for improvement in the efficiency of mainly small scale vessels, which will allow for the achievement of the same level of output, but with reduced inputs.