Mediterranean Sea ecosystem faces threat from invasive species

The Mediterranean Sea is undergoing a rapid ecological transformation due to rising sea temperatures and the Suez Canal, which facilitates the entry of tropical species. A survey by the Cyprus Academy of Sciences, Letters and Arts indicates that a new non-indigenous species enters the Mediterranean approximately every two weeks.

Researchers have documented over 1,000 non-native species in the region, a significant increase from the fewer than 800 recorded by the European Environment Agency between 2012 and 2017. These invasive organisms, including lionfish, blue crabs, and rabbitfish, are displacing native species, altering food chains, and threatening local fisheries.

In Cyprus, scientists are using experimental traps to monitor and control aggressive species like the lionfish, which lacks natural predators in these waters. Experts warn that while the Mediterranean accounts for only 0.8% of the global ocean area, it supports up to 18% of the world's marine species, making the impact of these biological shifts particularly severe.