Cyprus implements subsidy scheme to control invasive silver-cheeked toadfish

The silver-cheeked toadfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) remains a significant invasive threat to marine ecosystems and coastal fisheries in Cyprus. Katarina Georgiou of the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research confirmed that the species, which entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, has spread widely across coastal waters. While no official population estimate exists, high adaptability and a lack of natural predators have facilitated its rapid expansion. To manage the population, a subsidy scheme was launched in June 2024 and is scheduled to continue until the end of 2029. The initiative is funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and the Republic of Cyprus with a total budget of 1.395 million euros. Professional fishermen participating in the program receive 4.73 euros per kilogram for removing the species from the marine environment. Authorities continue to monitor the situation, noting the emergence of other invasive species in the island's Exclusive Economic Zone as well. The program aims to utilize targeted fishing pressure to mitigate the ecological and economic impact of the toadfish.