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Greece Pays Fishermen to Battle Toxic Invasive Toadfish in Mediterranean

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 Red Sea, entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and has been expanding northward as sea temperatures rise. Its flesh, skin, and organs contain tetrodotoxin, a potent poison with no antidote. For visitors swimming, snorkeling, or diving off Crete, the key precaution is to avoid handling any unfamiliar fish in the water or caught onshore. The species is also hazardous to eat, so tourists should only consume seafood from licensed restaurants and markets. The fishermen's removal program aims to reduce the population in Greek waters and protect both marine ecosystems and public safety.

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