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Crete Launches Bounty Program to Battle Toxic Invasive Fish

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

Authorities in Crete and the South Aegean have announced a bounty program targeting the lagocephalus, a toxic invasive fish species also known as the silver-cheeked toadfish. The fish, which originated in the Red Sea and spread through the Suez Canal, contains tetrodotoxin, a powerful poison with no known antidote. Fishermen are being incentivized to catch and remove the species as part of ongoing efforts to protect local marine ecosystems and public health. Tourists should be aware that this fish may occasionally appear at fish markets or coastal areas. Do not purchase, handle, or consume it under any circumstances. If dining on seafood in Crete, buy from licensed restaurants and established fish markets, and ask staff to confirm the species if uncertain.

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