Another invasive marine species is threatening the eastern Mediterranean and Black seas, this one carrying weapons more toxic to humans than cyanide. Lagocephalus sceleratus, or silver-cheeked toadfish, is a member of the pufferfish family that is native to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. However, it made its way through the Suez Canal, most likely stowed away on merchant vessels, and in the last decade has established a new home in the waters off Türkiye, the Balkans, and nations in the eastern Mediterranean region.
The greatest threat this species poses is not the native fish species it eats, mostly shellfish—although that is a significant problem that will worsen if its population grows. Rather, it is the risk this 40 cm fish poses to fishermen and anyone else who comes in contact with it. This species of pufferfish has iron-like jaws that can snap hooks, hands, or other means used to capture it, but more important is its extremely deadly poison, tetrodotoxin, which is also common in other pufferfish species around the world. This neurotoxin can injure or kill those who handle or consume the fish.
The Iskenderun district of Türkiye has stepped up its action to eradicate this species with a campaign to fund fishermen’s and aquaculturists’ efforts to find and catch them, with a support payment plan of TL 12.50 per specimen, up to the plan’s current funding of TL 200,000. The campaign in this pufferfish battle is part of its broader goal of safeguarding marine ecosystems and fostering sustainable utilization of marine resources, said the Iskenderun District’s director of Agriculture and Forestry.