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Greece Pays Fishermen to Catch Deadly Invasive Toadfish

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

Greece has launched a government-funded program paying local fishermen to catch the silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), a toxic invasive species spreading through the warming Mediterranean, including waters around Crete. The fish, originally from the Indo-Pacific, entered via the Suez Canal and has been expanding rapidly as sea temperatures rise. Its flesh and organs contain tetrodotoxin, a powerful poison with no known antidote, making it dangerous if accidentally consumed. Authorities are incentivizing fishermen to remove it from local waters to protect both the ecosystem and public health. Tourists visiting Crete should avoid purchasing or eating unknown fish from informal vendors, and stick to licensed tavernas and restaurants. If you catch a toadfish while recreational fishing, do not handle it and alert local authorities or your boat captain immediately.

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