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Deadly invasive toadfish from Red Sea threatens Cretan fishing industry

Thursday, 18 June 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), a highly toxic invasive species originally from the Red Sea, has been spreading rapidly in Cretan waters, prompting an AFP news feature on the crisis. Local fishermen are in distress as the fish, which entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, competes with native species and frequently damages nets. The toadfish contains tetrodotoxin, a poison with no antidote that can be fatal if consumed. Greek authorities have banned its sale and distribution entirely. Tourists visiting Crete should be aware: never eat this fish if offered informally, and do not handle one if found on a beach or in a market. It poses no danger to swimmers but represents a serious ecological and economic threat to the island's fishing communities.

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