Department of Fisheries clarifies status of toxic pufferfish in Cyprus

The Cyprus Department of Fisheries and Marine Research (DFMR) has issued a statement clarifying the presence of the pufferfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) in local waters. The agency confirms the species has been present for at least 20 years and emphasizes that no attacks on swimmers have been recorded. However, the fish contains tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin, which makes it highly toxic and strictly prohibited for human consumption. While it poses no threat to swimmers, the species is considered a highly invasive predator that negatively impacts the fishing industry by damaging gear and catch. The pufferfish, which is of Indo-Pacific origin, entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Its rapid spread and high adaptability are facilitated by a lack of natural predators in the region. Authorities stress that the risk to humans arises specifically from ingestion, rather than physical contact.