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Greece Offers Cash for Catching Toxic Invasive Toadfish

Wednesday, 1 July 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Greek authorities have announced a bounty program encouraging fishermen to catch the silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), a toxic invasive species spreading through Greek and Cretan waters. The fish, originally from the Indo-Pacific, is highly poisonous and not safe to eat. Fishermen receive a payment per fish caught to help control the population. For visitors to Crete, the key advice is straightforward: never eat pufferfish purchased from informal or unlicensed vendors, and avoid handling any unfamiliar fish caught while swimming or snorkeling. Licensed restaurants and markets are safe, as the species is not part of regular Greek cuisine. The bounty program reflects ongoing efforts to protect marine ecosystems and local fishing communities across the Aegean and Mediterranean, where the species has been expanding steadily over the past decade.

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