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Greek experts calm fears over pufferfish: 'No threat to swimmers'
🇬🇷 Greece /Environment & Climate

Greek experts calm fears over pufferfish: 'No threat to swimmers'

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Experts reassure the public that the pufferfish (lagokefalos) appearing in Greek waters poses no threat to swimmers.
  • Concerns have been amplified by social media, but scientists emphasize that the fish is not dangerous to touch or accidentally bite.
  • The fish's toxins are in its organs, not its body, and the spread in the Mediterranean is linked to the Suez Canal and overfishing.

Experts are urging calm regarding the appearance of pufferfish, known locally as lagokefalos, in Greek waters, stating the species poses no danger to swimmers. Despite viral videos and photos on social media causing public anxiety, scientists emphasize that the fish is not inherently dangerous to touch or to accidentally bite.

You won't catch it and get sick, nor will you have an unintentional bite and suffer something.

— Thodoris TsibidisReassuring the public about the safety of interacting with pufferfish in Greek waters.

Thodoris Tsibidis, director of the Archipelago Marine Conservation Institute, stressed that there is no cause for panic, countering the often exaggerated portrayal on social media. He explained that the fish's toxins are concentrated in its internal organs, not its flesh, making contact or accidental bites harmless. "You won't catch it and get sick, nor will you have an unintentional bite and suffer something," Tsibidis stated.

Tsibidis addressed reports of bites on beaches, attributing them to swimmers feeding the fish, which attracts them closer to shore. He advised against feeding marine life and recommended maintaining composure, noting that any minor injuries from a bite are easily managed. The spread of the pufferfish in the Mediterranean is primarily linked to the opening of the Suez Canal, facilitating migration from the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, alongside the impact of overfishing which destabilizes marine ecosystems.

There is no panic in this whole story and the sky has not fallen on our heads.

— Thodoris TsibidisDownplaying public anxiety surrounding the presence of pufferfish.

Fishermen have expressed concern over the invasive species, which damages fishing gear and consumes commercially valuable fish, impacting local catches. The pufferfish's presence disrupts the balance of marine ecosystems and affects the availability and quality of fish in the market. Scientists point to both the Suez Canal's role and overfishing as key factors contributing to the species' proliferation.

The big problem has to do with overfishing, which destabilizes marine ecosystems.

— Thodoris TsibidisExplaining one of the key factors contributing to the spread of invasive species like the pufferfish.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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