Concerns over the presence of pufferfish in Greek seas have been met with reassurance from marine experts, who say the issue is being overstated for the general public.
Speaking to Greek television channel MEGA, Anastasia Miliou, director of the marine conservation institute Archipelagos, addressed widespread misinformation surrounding the species, stressing that no fish typically attacks humans unless its behavior has been altered.
She explained that such altered behavior can occur in cases where pufferfish are fed or handled by people, leading to unintended interactions. However, she emphasized that this does not reflect natural behavior in the wild.
‘A problem for fishermen, not swimmers’
According to Miliou, the impact of pufferfish is largely confined to the fishing industry.
“The problem of pufferfish is for fishermen,” she said, noting that intensive fishing practices and the lack of natural ecological balance have contributed to challenges in marine environments.
She added that concerns for swimmers are exaggerated, stating that in 99.5% of Greece’s coastline there is no issue for beachgoers.
Calls for better fisheries management
As potential solutions, the expert called for more effective fisheries management, closer monitoring of invasive species, and stronger support for local fishermen.
She also highlighted the importance of maintaining healthy marine ecosystems and reducing public panic, noting that the pufferfish population has not shown a dramatic increase compared to previous years.
