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Greek fishermen demand action as invasive pufferfish threaten livelihoods

Saturday, 20 June 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Greek fishermen are calling on authorities to take action against a growing population of invasive pufferfish, particularly the silver-cheeked toadfish (*Lagocephalus sceleratus*), which has spread across the eastern Mediterranean, including Cretan waters. The species arrived through the Suez Canal and is now threatening local fish stocks and fishing livelihoods. Fishermen report increasingly frequent catches of the species and warn it is disrupting traditional fishing practices. For tourists, the key concern is food safety: the silver-cheeked toadfish contains tetrodotoxin, a potent toxin with no antidote. It must never be eaten. Visitors should only consume fish purchased from licensed restaurants or reputable fish markets, and should not attempt to handle or eat any pufferfish caught or found on beaches. There is no risk from swimming in the sea.

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