Greece is facing an invasion of silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus), a toxic species with razor-sharp teeth, just as the tourist season intensifies. The fish, native to the Indian Ocean, have migrated through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, attracted by warming waters linked to climate change.
Cash Incentive for Fishermen
Starting Friday, the Greek government is offering €5.33 per kilogram for catches of the silver-cheeked toadfish, marking the first such measure in the country. Agriculture Minister Margaritis Schinas, a former European Commission vice president, announced the programme ahead of its launch. The fish will be frozen and incinerated at local government facilities, with plans to expand the initiative from affected areas to all Greek waters.
Fishermen in Crete and other islands have reported significant damage. Giorgos Kyriakakis, of a Cretan fishermen’s association, told Greek public broadcaster ERT: 'It’s got to the point where we might go out fishing one day and then spend the next three days fixing our nets. They eat our catch and damage our nets — that’s very costly.'
Health Risks and Public Concern
The fish contains tetrodotoxin, a powerful neurotoxin that can cause heart and lung failure, making it unsafe for consumption. An elderly woman was bitten last week while swimming off a beach in Varkiza, near Athens, requiring stitches. The Greek Red Cross has issued a public health warning, outlining first-aid protocols for bites and warning of the deadly neurotoxin in the fish’s organs.
Nota Peristeraki, a pufferfish expert from the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, advised: 'If you see it approaching you, you really need to avoid it. Some attacks have happened when people have tried to feed or touch the fish. There have been a couple of cases of people losing a finger or a toe.' However, he noted such incidents are rare, adding: 'You are more likely to encounter a shark.'
Authorities Urge Caution Against Panic
Authorities and businesses on Crete have cautioned against overreaction. A joint statement from 16 medical and tourism associations on Friday said: 'The presence of these fish in the Mediterranean has been known for years. There is, however, no ‘invisible’ or imminent danger to bathers. Marine predators do not threaten the safety of visitors and residents. Exaggeration is often a feature of public debate.'
Cyprus launched a similar catch programme earlier this year. The invasion has sparked public concern, fueled by viral videos showing the fish biting through soda cans and wood. Despite the risks, officials stress that the fish have not been sighted in bathing areas at Greek island resorts.
