Cyprus removes more than 100 tonnes of toxic pufferfish as Greece considers fisher incentives

Local cyprusGreecesubsidiesTop News Cyprus removes more than 100 tonnes of toxic pufferfish as Greece considers fisher incentives Lagokefalos Relevant News Cyprus removes more than 100 tonnes of toxic pufferfish as Greece considers fisher incentives 27 June 2026 Ireland sets out agenda ahead of taking over EU presidency 27 June 2026 CARE Festival: Taking care of the future together 27 June 2026 Ioanna Kyriakou 27 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Cyprus has removed more than 100 tonnes of toxic pufferfish from its waters under a subsidy scheme for professional fishers, as Greece considers a similar approach to curb the spread of the invasive species along its coast. The growing concern in Greece over the spread of the pufferfish has again highlighted a problem Cyprus has faced for about 20 years. The toxic, non-native fish threatens marine life, damages fishing gear and must not be eaten. Athens is examining a plan to provide financial incentives to professional fishers to catch and remove the species from Greek waters. Cyprus has already used a similar scheme, which has led to the removal of more than 100 tonnes of pufferfish from Cypriot waters. Data obtained by Philenews from the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research show that the presence of the pufferfish, known scientifically as Lagocephalus sceleratus, is widespread in Cyprus. Its population has risen sharply since 2006. The species is found along Cyprus’s entire coastline throughout the year. Department figures show that most landings linked to targeted fishing under the pufferfish subsidy scheme take place during the summer months, mainly in the south and south-east of the island. The fish is found across a wide range of depths in much of Cyprus’s maritime area. Department records show it is mainly caught at depths of about 20 to 100 metres. Its spread in the Mediterranean is linked to its ecological characteristics. It has a broad diet, can adapt to different environmental conditions and has few natural predators in the region. The species originates in the Indo-Pacific and entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. How to identify it The pufferfish can be recognised by its long, partially flattened body, green-brown back with evenly sized and regularly arranged black spots, a silver stripe running from its mouth to the tip of its tail, a white belly and a silver spot in front of each eye. It also has a distinctive jaw with four powerful teeth — two on the upper jaw and two on the lower jaw — which are fused to form a beak-like structure. Its name comes from these strong, fused teeth, which resemble those of a hare. The fish can also inflate its body significantly by taking in water or air. A loud noise can be heard as it inflates, caused by friction between the teeth of its upper and lower jaws. The pufferfish may be confused with other similar species with comparable body shapes and colouring, or with other fish that can inflate themselves. However, its beak-like teeth, black spots on its back and silver lateral stripe make it easier to distinguish from other species. Poisoning risk and symptoms The fish is highly poisonous if eaten. It contains tetrodotoxin in its tissues, which can cause food poisoning and death. The toxin is not destroyed by cooking and there is no antidote for the neurotoxin. Anyone who accidentally eats pufferfish should go to the hospital immediately. Before receiving medical care, they should monitor their symptoms closely so they can provide doctors with as much information as possible. The first symptoms of poisoning usually appear within minutes or several hours after consumption. They include numbness or tingling around the mouth and in the limbs, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and dizziness. In severe cases, the condition can deteriorate quickly, causing muscle weakness, paralysis and breathing difficulties that can become life-threatening. Anyone who develops symptoms should be taken to the hospital immediately. There is no poisoning risk from touching the fish or being bitten by it. However, a bite can cause injury because of its powerful jaws. The Department of Fisheries advises people not to disturb or feed pufferfish if they encounter one, as is the case with any wild species. One poisoning case recorded in Cyprus No attacks have been recorded in Cyprus during the species’ 20-year presence around the island. There has been one recorded case of two people being poisoned after eating pufferfish in 2016. Both recovered. No injuries caused by pufferfish have been recorded, although the Department of Fisheries advises caution and says people should avoid any contact with the species. Handling should be limited to fishers and competent authorities familiar with the fish’s characteristics and risks. Impact on fishing and marine ecosystems The Department of Fisheries describes the pufferfish as one of the Mediterranean’s most significant invasive species. It damages catches and fishing equipment, increasing costs for professional fishers. It is also an effective predator, feeding on fish, crustaceans and molluscs, putting pressure on native populations and competing with local species for food and habitats. Its spread can disrupt food chains and harm biodiversity in Mediterranean coastal ecosystems, posing a serious threat to fishing and the region’s ecological balance. Cyprus subsidy scheme The Department of Fisheries monitors the species and its effects through available catch and landing data. The pufferfish is also included among species monitored under the EU Data Collection Framework. The data collection covers, among other things, landings, fishing activity and the distribution of the species. The department had already implemented mitigation schemes during the 2007-2013 and 2014-2020 funding periods. Since June 2024, Cyprus has run a grant scheme to limit the spread of pufferfish in its coastal waters. The scheme aims to reduce the Lagocephalus sceleratus population in Cyprus’s coastal zone through collective groups of fishers and intensive targeted fishing by the island’s coastal professional fleet. The scheme has a budget of €1.395 million and is co-financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and the Republic of Cyprus. Eligible participants are professional fishers holding Category A, Category B, or multi-purpose professional licences. Beneficiaries receive €4.73 per kilogramme. Eleven groups, comprising about 150 fishers, have applied to join the scheme. So far, €487,000 has been paid for about 103,000 kilogrammes of pufferfish. Fishers taking part in the scheme follow specific handling and management instructions set out under the programme. Greece is expected to follow Cyprus’s example after offering €5.33 per kilogramme for the removal of the invasive fish. The Greek government is examining how to make the incentive permanent so fishers can continue catching the species, which cannot be eradicated. Under the initial plan, pufferfish caught by fishers will be weighed and checked under strict procedures before being transported in specialist vehicles to industrial furnaces for destruction. Message to the public The Department of Fisheries said the species mainly affects professional fishers because it damages both equipment and catches. Swimmers face no particular danger at beaches, although people should not disturb or feed the fish if they encounter it. The department urged the public to rely on credible sources, including its website, for information on the presence of pufferfish in Cypriot waters, to avoid unnecessary concern and panic. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Ireland sets out agenda ahead of taking over EU presidency CARE Festival: Taking care of the future together New look for Costas Tsielepis & Co Ltd Overnight pharmacies on Friday, June 26 Professional skepticism: A cornerstone of audit quality Europe on high alert as killer heat spreads Iran deal grants access to nuclear inspectors, IAEA chief says Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.