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🇫🇷 France /Environment & Climate

Pufferfish Devastate Crete's Fishing Industry, Leaving 'Nothing Behind'

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Invasive pufferfish are devastating fishing in Crete, appearing in the Mediterranean after previously being found in the Red Sea, Indian, and Pacific Oceans.
  • These toxic fish are destroying nets and reducing catches, threatening the livelihoods of local fishermen.
  • The spread of pufferfish into new waters highlights the ecological challenges posed by invasive species.

Crete's fishing industry faces a new threat as invasive pufferfish wreak havoc on catches. These toxic, non-native fish, previously found in warmer waters like the Red Sea, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, have now established a presence in the Mediterranean, impacting the coasts of Greece.

Fishermen report that the pufferfish are destroying nets and significantly reducing their hauls. The presence of these toxic species poses a direct challenge to the livelihoods of those who depend on the sea for income. The ecological balance of the Mediterranean is being disrupted by this invasive species.

The spread of the pufferfish into new marine environments underscores the broader issue of invasive species disrupting ecosystems worldwide. Their arrival in the Mediterranean signals a concerning expansion for a species known for its destructive impact on local fisheries.

They leave nothing behind.

— FishermenDescribing the impact of pufferfish on their catches.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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