Cypriot authorities refute rumors about the danger of pufferfish to swimmers

The Department of Fisheries and Marine Research of the Republic of Cyprus has officially refuted rumors that have spread on social media about alleged unprovoked «attacks» by the silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus, local name — lagokephalos) on people. The department stressed that holidaymakers' concerns are greatly exaggerated and that this species poses no physical threat to swimmers or snorkelers.

Biological description and toxicity:
The silver-cheeked toadfish is an invasive species that entered the Eastern Mediterranean from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal. Scientists have been recording its presence off the island's coast since 2006.
— Deadly danger. The tissues of lagokephalos (especially the liver and internal organs) contain the powerful neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, for which there is no effective antidote. If the poison enters the human body, it causes paralysis, respiratory failure and death.
— Ban on trade. Unlike Japan, where related species (Takifugu) are considered a delicacy after complex preparation by licensed chefs, in Cyprus and throughout the European Union the sale, commercial circulation and consumption of this fish are strictly prohibited.

Experts explain the fish's behavior:
Representatives of environmental organizations and the scientific community have urged the public not to give in to panic.
— Anastasia Haritomou, head of communications at iSea, said there are no confirmed cases of the fish attacking people swimming nearby. Isolated incidents in shallow waters in Greece and Cyprus occurred solely because people themselves tried to touch, feed or corner the fish.
— Biologist and oceanographer Evagoras Isaias confirmed that the videos circulating on social media show only the fish's defensive reaction to direct provocation by humans. Lagokephalos can grow to more than a meter in length, but it never shows aggression first.

Economic damage and the population control program:
The main threat the species poses is not to holidaymakers, but to professional coastal fishing and the ecosystem. With powerful beak-like teeth, the fish tears expensive nets, destroys gear and eats catches.

To reduce ecological pressure, Cyprus is running a state program to reduce the lagokephalos population, co-financed by the European Fisheries Fund:
— Under the project, which runs until the end of 2029, more than 103 tons of pufferfish have already been removed from the island's coastal waters and destroyed by incineration (burning).
— About 150 licensed fishermen are involved in the program and receive compensation of €4.73 for each kilogram of invasive fish caught and registered. A total of about €487,000 has already been allocated for payments. At the same time, specialists acknowledge that it is no longer possible to completely eradicate this species in the Mediterranean Sea.