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Greece Pays Fishermen to Remove Deadly Invasive Pufferfish

Saturday, 11 July 2026/Source: Flashnews/1 min read

Greece's Ministry of Agricultural Development is launching a paid removal program targeting lagocephalus, an invasive and highly toxic pufferfish species that has spread throughout the Mediterranean, including Cretan waters. Licensed fishermen will be compensated for each specimen caught and delivered to designated collection points. Amateur anglers are also addressed under the program's guidelines. Tourists should be aware that lagocephalus is extremely dangerous if consumed, as its organs contain tetrodotoxin, a potent poison with no antidote. The fish can occasionally appear in local markets or be caught incidentally. Visitors are strongly advised never to eat lagocephalus under any name, and to buy seafood only from reputable, licensed establishments. The program aims to reduce the species' presence in Greek waters and improve safety for both consumers and the local fishing industry.

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