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Greece Bounties Invasive Pufferfish Threatening Cretan Waters

Saturday, 27 June 2026/Source: Google News/1 min read

The Greek government has introduced a bounty of 5.33 euros per kilogram on pufferfish (also called balloonfish or blowfish) to encourage local fishermen to actively catch this invasive species spreading through Greek and Cretan waters. Pufferfish are highly toxic if consumed and pose a risk to marine ecosystems by competing with native species and damaging fishing nets. For tourists visiting Crete, this is an important safety note: never eat pufferfish purchased from informal or unlicensed vendors, as their flesh and organs contain tetrodotoxin, a potentially fatal poison with no antidote. Stick to licensed tavernas and trusted fish markets. If you spot a pufferfish while swimming or snorkeling, do not touch it. The initiative is part of a broader national effort to protect the Eastern Mediterranean's native marine biodiversity.

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