In Greece, the balloon fish, an invasive and toxic species, is now being priced. The government offers €5.33 per kilo to encourage fishermen to catch it.
The Greek regions of the island of Crete and the South Aegean will be able to apply from Monday for the first premium program to catch balloon fish, an invasive species that threatens fishing and marine ecosystems, Athens announced on Saturday. The Greek government will offer 5.33 euros per kilogram for the catches of this fish thanks to an envelope of 1.5 million euros of European funds, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Spýros Protopsáltis, told the in.gr website.
4.73 euros per kilo in Cyprus
Cyprus has already set up a similar system with a premium of 4.73 euros per kilogram. Present in the Red Sea and in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, silver-striped balloon fish entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, according to the French University Côte d’Azur, which lists non-indigenous species of the Mediterranean.
Their multiplication in Greek waters is an example of how warming of seas and oceans is changing ecosystems and disrupting economies that depend on them. In addition to their fearsome teeth that create significant damage to the fishermen’s nets, these predators are a threat to human health because of their toxic flesh.
It contains tetrodotoxin, an extremely dangerous toxin when ingested.
« The faster the regions react (by applying for the program), the faster the capture premium can be implemented, » said Spýros Protopsáltis. The regions will then have to organize the refrigeration of fish after their capture as well as their incineration in specialized facilities.
Compensation for damage to the nets
This measure is part of a national action plan developed in 2024 by the Centre hellenic de recherche marine (ELKETHE), which recommended in particular the introduction of a capture premium, as well as a species tracking system and compensation for fishermen for damage caused to their nets.
According to Spýros Protopsáltis, the implementation of the other recommendations of the plan will require cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Energy, which is responsible for invasive alien species. A meeting between the ministers concerned is scheduled for 1 July on this subject.
No danger for bathers
The announcement comes as this fish, with the scientific name Lagocephalus sceleratus, is attracting growing interest from the Greek media. The Greek Red Cross has issued a public health warning about this fish, describing first aid protocols in case of bleeding caused by possible bites and warning against the deadly toxin present in its flesh.
But the authorities and companies on the island of Crete warned against any overreaction. « The presence of these fish in the Mediterranean has been known for years (…) and does not pose any danger to bathers, » says a press release published on Friday by 16 medical and tourism associations in Crete.
source : télégramme
