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Invasive Red Sea Toadfish Devastates Cretan Fisheries

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

The silver-cheeked toadfish (lagocephalus sceleratus), an invasive species originally from the Red Sea, has become a serious problem in Cretan waters and is causing significant difficulties for local fishermen. The fish, which entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, has spread rapidly and now appears in large numbers along Crete's coastline. Fishermen report damaged nets and reduced catches of traditional fish as toadfish populations displace native species. The toadfish is highly toxic and must never be eaten: its flesh, organs, and skin contain tetrodotoxin, a poison with no known antidote. Tourists should avoid handling any unfamiliar fish caught or found on beaches, and should only eat seafood from licensed tavernas and restaurants. If you see a pufferfish while swimming, keep your distance and do not touch it.

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