Greece has placed a bounty on the head of the world's most toxic pufferfish, paying fishermen €5.33 per kilo to hunt the invasive predator
Beneath the surface of the Mediterranean, Greece is trying to curb an invasive pufferfish species. The fish is damaging fishing gear and threatening local catches across several coastal regions.
This serious ecological challenge was recently highlighted in a report by the Greek Reporter. The report quotes marine expert Stefanos Kalogirou, an Associate Professor at the Agricultural University of Athens, who says the invasive silver-cheeked pufferfish has spread across several coastal regions. The analysis reveals that this predator is rapidly multiplying, creating significant structural damage to local fisheries and posing a safety concern for public health officials.
The pufferfish's unusual teeth and feeding habits
To understand why this specific fish is causing concern, it helps to look at its unusual physical characteristics and aggressive behaviour. The silver-cheeked pufferfish is a torpedo-shaped creature known for possessing an incredibly strong set of prominent, human-like teeth. According to the IUCN Mediterranean Marine Invasive Species network, its strong teeth let it bite through hard shells and other prey. Online videos posted by fishing crews and broadcast by Greek media show the aggressive fish sinking its teeth into metal beverage cans and solid pieces of wood.
The Greek Reporter says the invasive species grows quickly and reaches a large size. As they grow larger, they need more food and hunt across the seabed. Their diet includes fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and cephalopods. This feeding habit can put pressure on species important to local fisheries.
The fish also poses a serious internal toxicity risk. The liver and reproductive organs of this species contain an incredibly potent neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, which remains stable even after cooking, as noted by the Greek Reporter. Public health officials warn that eating the fish can cause paralysis and can be fatal. Because of its toxicity, the fish cannot be sold for food in the EU.
This serious ecological challenge was recently highlighted in a report by the Greek Reporter. The report quotes marine expert Stefanos Kalogirou, an Associate Professor at the Agricultural University of Athens, who says the invasive silver-cheeked pufferfish has spread across several coastal regions. The analysis reveals that this predator is rapidly multiplying, creating significant structural damage to local fisheries and posing a safety concern for public health officials.
The pufferfish's unusual teeth and feeding habits
To understand why this specific fish is causing concern, it helps to look at its unusual physical characteristics and aggressive behaviour. The silver-cheeked pufferfish is a torpedo-shaped creature known for possessing an incredibly strong set of prominent, human-like teeth. According to the IUCN Mediterranean Marine Invasive Species network, its strong teeth let it bite through hard shells and other prey. Online videos posted by fishing crews and broadcast by Greek media show the aggressive fish sinking its teeth into metal beverage cans and solid pieces of wood.
The Greek Reporter says the invasive species grows quickly and reaches a large size. As they grow larger, they need more food and hunt across the seabed. Their diet includes fish, crustaceans, molluscs, and cephalopods. This feeding habit can put pressure on species important to local fisheries.
The fish also poses a serious internal toxicity risk. The liver and reproductive organs of this species contain an incredibly potent neurotoxin called tetrodotoxin, which remains stable even after cooking, as noted by the Greek Reporter. Public health officials warn that eating the fish can cause paralysis and can be fatal. Because of its toxicity, the fish cannot be sold for food in the EU.
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