HP Calls for a Special Fund to Combat Poisonous Pufferfish

People’s Party (HP) spokesperson Aral Moral issued an official statement noting the critical increase in the population of invasive and highly toxic pufferfish in coastal waters. According to the politician, the situation has reached a dangerous level, threatening the marine ecosystem, coastal fishing and public safety. Moral said the main obstacle to launching an effective response program against the pest is the lack of systematic funding and proposed an urgent mechanism to address the problem.

As a measure to secure the necessary resources, the opposition representative proposed that the government create a targeted fund to be replenished through the introduction of specific earmarked levies on certain categories of goods imported into the country. Moral stressed that without allocating a stable budget, it is impossible to achieve tangible results. He cited South Cyprus as an example, where significant resources are allocated to such activities within the framework of European Union environmental projects. Moral also noted that Turkey has significantly increased financial support for similar programs aimed at encouraging the capture of invasive species.

The People’s Party spokesperson called on the relevant authorities, environmentalists, representatives of fishing associations and all interested parties to hold an emergency meeting without delay. The purpose of the joint gathering should be an accurate assessment of the current damage, the development of a unified action plan and the approval of a funding structure for the prompt launch of a state program to clean up the waters.