Professional fishers in Crete are in despair as pufferfish, an invasive species that entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, continue to cause serious damage to marine biodiversity and their profits.
The problem affects many Mediterranean countries, with Cyprus and Greece among the hardest-hit areas. This poisonous, omnivorous fish has come to dominate in recent years and has extremely powerful jaws that can destroy nets, ropes and fishing equipment.
Fisherman Alexis Charalampakis describes the extent of the damage caused by the species: "They ate the fish and cut through the rope. Look at the damage – the gear is useless. After just five days of use I have to throw it away and buy new nets."
A similar picture is painted by fisherman Giannis Giankakis, who stresses that this is an especially resilient species. "It eats anything it finds in its path and does not seem to be threatened by anything, as it has no natural predators among other fish," he says.
Lambis Atzarakis says populations of commercial fish have plummeted. "The sea is full of lionfish, pufferfish and cornetfish – all alien species. Not a single good fish has come through the Suez, only problems," he notes.
Greek fishers are calling on the state to immediately introduce a subsidy scheme for catching and removing pufferfish, with the aim of reducing their numbers and limiting the significant financial losses they cause the sector.
According to marine biologist Nota Peristeraki from the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), the impact is already measurable. "Our studies show that the species Lagocephalus sceleratus has a significant effect on fishers, particularly those engaged in coastal fishing. We estimate that losses amount on average to around €8,500 a year for each fishing vessel," she explains.
Pufferfish carry a deadly toxin
Pufferfish were recorded in Greece for the first time in 2005, in Crete and the Dodecanese islands. Twenty years later they have spread across the country, with scientists warning that eating them can be fatal.
Marine biologist Thekla Anastasiou explains that tetrodotoxin, which is found in the fish’s organs, is extremely dangerous for humans. "Ingesting it can cause heart failure and paralysis of the respiratory system. Particular care is required in its handling and consumption," she stresses.
At the same time, researchers are looking into ways of neutralising the toxin so that the species can acquire some economic value. Chemist Manolis Mandalakis says that studies have already been carried out on removing tetrodotoxin from pufferfish, allowing their biomass to be used safely in low-risk applications such as the production of fertilisers and compost.
Scientists and fishers agree that urgent measures are needed to protect marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them for their livelihoods.
