ATHENS — Greek fishermen are seeking government support to fight off an invasion of toxic, razor-toothed pufferfish that are endangering Mediterranean ecosystems.
The pufferfish have arrived from the Red Sea via the Suez Canal and typically measure between 40 and 60 centimeters. Their powerful jaws can bite through metal and bone, while their flesh contains tetrodotoxin — a potent neurotoxin for which there is no known antidote — meaning consuming it can be fatal.
It’s a prime example of how sea warming due to climate change and transit through the Suez Canal are altering the marine environment.
Given the damage to Greek fisheries, the government is now offering subsidies to fishermen to undertake targeted sweeps to reduce the pufferfish numbers.
