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Deadly Pufferfish Spreading Through Crete Waters, Authorities Warn

Monday, 22 June 2026/SourceGoogle News/1 min read
A German newspaper has issued a warning about the increasing presence of pufferfish (lagocephalus) in the waters around Crete. These fish, originally from the Indo-Pacific region, have spread throughout the Mediterranean and are now commonly spotted along Cretan coastlines. Pufferfish are highly toxic and should never be touched or consumed. Their internal organs contain tetrodotoxin, a potent poison with no known antidote. Tourists swimming or snorkeling should avoid contact with any pufferfish they encounter in the water. If you see one washed up on a beach, do not handle it and alert local authorities. Local fishermen are also advised to discard any pufferfish caught and to avoid contact with skin. There is no danger from simply swimming near them, but direct contact must be avoided.

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