tourism

Greece Pays Fishermen to Catch Invasive Toxic Toadfish

Friday, 26 June 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Greece has launched a paid program encouraging local fishermen to catch the silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), an invasive species spreading through the warming Mediterranean, including waters around Crete. The fish, originally from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and has been expanding northward as sea temperatures rise. The toadfish is highly toxic and poses a risk if consumed. Its internal organs contain tetrodotoxin, a poison with no antidote. Greece is compensating fishermen per kilogram caught to reduce population numbers and protect both marine ecosystems and public safety. For visitors to Crete, the key precaution is simple: never eat toadfish purchased from informal or unlicensed vendors. Fish served at licensed restaurants goes through proper inspection. If you are fishing recreationally, do not handle or eat any unfamiliar species caught locally.

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