Greek fishermen struggle to keep up with pufferfish invaders

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, June 28, 2026

Fishermen in southwestern Crete are struggling as the invasive silver-cheeked pufferfish continues to damage local marine life, fishing equipment, and catches, while posing serious health risks due to its potent toxin. Scientists and authorities are seeking solutions, including toxin neutralization and government support, to mitigate economic losses estimated at 8,500 euros per vessel annually and to control the species’ spread amid broader climate-driven ecological shifts.

Fishermen in southwestern Crete are facing mounting challenges as an invasive species of pufferfish, Lagocephalus sceleratus, continues to disrupt local marine ecosystems and threaten the fishing industry. First detected in Greek waters about two decades ago, this silver-cheeked pufferfish has increasingly proliferated off the coast of Crete, causing significant damage to catches and fishing equipment.

Alexis Charlambakis, a 43-year-old fisherman based in the port of Ierapetra, described the pufferfish as particularly destructive. The species, known for its strong beak-like mouth and toxicity, preys on a wide range of marine life, leaving little behind. “If one of these bites you, it will take your finger clean off,” Charlambakis said, illustrating the physical threat they pose aside from their economic impact. On his boat and others nearby, fish including rays and seabream have been found severely mutilated after encounters with the pufferfish.

The silver-cheeked pufferfish, which measures between 40 and 60 centimeters in length, is omnivorous and has no natural predators in the Mediterranean Sea, according to seasoned local fisherman Giannis Giankakis. The species originally entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, migrating from the Red Sea and extending its range from the eastern parts near Crete and the Dodecanese islands to other areas.

The rapid spread of this warm-water invasive fish is part of a broader pattern linked to ocean warming, which alters marine ecosystems and the economies that depend on them. Scientists from the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) highlighted that pufferfish now inflict annual losses estimated at around 8,500 euros per fishing vessel — a significant blow to fishermen’s livelihoods. The pufferfish also pose a lethal health risk as they contain tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that can cause respiratory failure and death if ingested.

Fishermen report that the situation is worsening and express frustration with the lack of sufficient governmental support. Kostis Zevelekakis, 53, emphasized that without enhanced measures, controlling the pufferfish population remains daunting. Similarly, younger fishermen, such as 25-year-old Babis Doriakis, called for state-subsidized programs to incentivize targeted fishing of pufferfish, noting that such initiatives have been implemented in nearby Cyprus.

Authorities are reportedly exploring support mechanisms for affected fishermen, as noted by former deputy agriculture minister Christos Kellas earlier this year. Meanwhile, scientists are investigating ways to safely neutralize the fish’s toxin to potentially repurpose the catch as fertilizer or animal feed. Current European Union regulations classify pufferfish as hazardous waste, requiring incineration, which limits options for disposal or utilization.

The proliferation of invasive species, including the pufferfish and others such as the Atlantic shrimp and lionfish, has prompted the World Wildlife Fund to update its responsible seafood guide for Greece earlier this year. This growing ecological challenge underscores the complex intersection of environmental change, economic impact, and regulatory response facing Greece’s fishing communities.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.