The growing presence of pufferfish in Greek waters is raising concern among fishermen and local communities, as the species continues to spread from Crete to the southern Aegean Sea and the Saronic Gulf.
Fisherman Vasilis Stathakis from Laconia spoke to Greek public broadcaster ERT about the increase in pufferfish populations and the challenges faced by those fishing in the region.
“The situation has reached the point where, from 5:30 in the morning until 8:00, we can catch 15 to 20 pufferfish weighing around two kilograms each,” Stathakis said, describing the scale of the increase.
According to the fisherman, the rise in numbers is linked to changes in fishing activity. He explained that during May, when fishing was not allowed in the area, both professional and amateur fishermen stopped catching pufferfish, allowing their population to expand.
Stathakis said fishermen have now resumed efforts to reduce their numbers. After catching and killing the fish, they return them to the sea, as some marine species feed on parts of their bodies, including their eggs.
Pufferfish cannot be consumed by humans because they are toxic.
The fisherman warned that the spread of the species is happening rapidly and said it may only be a matter of time before pufferfish reach areas as far north as Alexandroupoli. He called for financial incentives from the state to support fishermen in limiting the population, similar to measures already implemented in Cyprus.
Despite concerns about their increase, Stathakis noted that attacks on humans are extremely rare. However, he pointed out that pufferfish have two large teeth that resemble a beak, making them a species that requires caution.
