Toxic pufferfish spreads across Mediterranean coastlines

The poisonous pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus, first recorded in Greek waters in 2005, has rapidly expanded throughout the Eastern Mediterranean. Dense populations now exist in the Aegean Sea, especially around Crete, the Dodecanese, the Cyclades, as well as the central and northern Aegean, with additional sightings reported along the coasts of Turkey and Cyprus. An interactive ELNAIS map documents each recorded location, highlighting the species' spread over the past two decades.

The fish’s toxicity poses serious risks to marine ecosystems, local fisheries and public health. The Greek Red Cross has issued urgent warnings after incidents of bites to swimmers and fishermen, and videos of pufferfish biting metal objects have gone viral. Climate change and the opening of the Suez Canal are cited as factors accelerating the invasion, with comparable reports from Spain, Italy and Israel. Authorities emphasize the need for public awareness and preventive measures to manage the growing threat.