tourism

Greece Offers Bounty for Catching Poisonous Invasive Pufferfish

Wednesday, 8 July 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

Greece has introduced a financial bounty for fishermen who catch the poisonous pufferfish, specifically the silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), an invasive species that has spread throughout Greek waters including around Crete. The fish is highly toxic and poses a serious health risk if handled or consumed, as its internal organs contain tetrodotoxin, a powerful poison with no known antidote. The bounty scheme aims to reduce the species' population and protect both marine ecosystems and public safety. Fishermen are encouraged to remove the fish from local waters rather than discard or sell them. Tourists swimming and snorkeling around Crete should be aware of this species. If you spot an unfamiliar spiny or rounded fish, do not touch it. Local fish markets and restaurants are not affected, as the species is not sold for consumption in Greece.

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