Greek authorities are seeking European Commission approval for a subsidy scheme that would pay fishermen more than €6 per kilogram to land the invasive silver-cheeked toadfish, as scientists warn that the greatest threat lies in the damage being caused to marine ecosystems and fishing livelihoods.

Greek Rural Development and Food Minister Margaritis Schinas is due to meet fishermen’s representatives on Thursday, June 25, for broad talks on the spread of invasive marine species, rising fuel costs, unfair competition and other problems facing the sector.

The Greek government has submitted a plan to the European Commission for approval. The proposal would subsidise fishermen to target the species, following the model already applied in Cyprus, where fishermen are paid to land the fish before it is sent for destruction.

Schinas confirmed the plan, saying the government is examining whether Greece can secure a higher subsidy than the one currently used in Cyprus.

“In Cyprus, it is €4.73 per kilogram. It used to be €3 and was then raised to €4.73,” he said. “In our discussions with fishermen’s representatives, they have explained that €4.73 does not provide a strong enough incentive because of higher fuel prices and the other operating costs they face. So we are looking at whether the price can be raised.”

Under the Greek plan, the fish would be sent for incineration, as happens in Cyprus. The difference is that Greece wants the culling effort to focus on spawning periods, when pressure on the species’ population could be greatest.

The minister acknowledged, however, that expectations should remain realistic.

“Our aim is to provide an incentive, but we have to be honest and keep expectations realistic. We will not see a dramatic change. Cyprus did not see one either, and we have spoken with the Cypriots,” he said. “This is mainly a financial support measure for fishermen. Since the pufferfish arrived in the Mediterranean, unfortunately it has come to stay. The question is how we limit its population. We will carry out targeted fishing, especially during spawning seasons.”

Scientists say the challenge is particularly difficult because the species reproduces rapidly, with females able to produce very large numbers of eggs.

Other proposals on the table

Alternative proposals are also being examined by the government.

Scientific organisations, including the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, have suggested subsidising professional fishermen to reduce fishing pressure on native predators, allowing natural predation to help limit the spread of young pufferfish.

The proposal points to species such as dolphinfish, garfish, swordfish, loggerhead sea turtles and sharks, which could contribute to the natural control of juvenile pufferfish populations if their own numbers were allowed to recover.

The Hellenic Centre for Marine Research has also studied the economic damage caused by the species, including torn nets and damaged fishing equipment, estimating losses for fishermen at around €6,000 a year.

Greek researchers are also involved in the EU-funded LagoMeal project, along with scientists from Demokritos and other institutions. The project has examined whether tetrodotoxin, the powerful toxin found in the species, can be neutralised so that the fish may eventually be used in the production of safe fishmeal for animal feed.

According to HCMR’s Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, the project has produced new knowledge on how tetrodotoxin can be inactivated in Lagocephalus sceleratus, opening the possibility of future commercial use under controlled scientific conditions.

Scientists urge calm over attacks near the shore

Scientists are also calling for an end to public panic over the toxic pufferfish.

They stress that the greatest danger is not to swimmers, but to the marine ecosystem and to the future of fish species that have long formed part of the Mediterranean diet. The toxic pufferfish destroys fishing gear, consumes valuable catch and threatens the balance of local marine life.

Recent reports of bites close to the shore have raised concern, but scientists say such incidents are usually linked to human behaviour. Under normal conditions, the species would not approach swimmers in shallow water. However, when people feed fish near beaches, the animals learn to associate the shoreline with easy food.

When food is not provided, the fish may bite objects it mistakes for food, including fingers. Scientists also underline that genuinely unprovoked attacks are rare. Several videos circulated online show people touching, feeding or playing with the fish before being bitten.

Another concern is that the species may gradually change its behaviour in areas where it faces little pressure from natural predators. As overfishing reduces the numbers of groupers, dolphinfish, sharks, swordfish, sea turtles and other predators, the toxic pufferfish is left with fewer natural checks on its spread.

For fishermen, the issue is already urgent. For scientists, the longer-term concern is wider: an invasive, toxic and highly adaptable species is now reshaping parts of the Greek marine environment.