The Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
It should be noted that the pilot culling is included in the action plan to address the spread of the species in Greek waters.
According to the plan currently being developed, the response to the problem will be based on a set of measures that includes scientific monitoring of the phenomenon, recording of catches, identifying areas where the species congregates and reproduces, collaboration with research institutions, the use of digital tools, and the establishment of procedures for the safe management of the biomass to be collected.
At the same time, consideration is being given to drawing on the experience of other countries in the Eastern Mediterranean—particularly Cyprus, where a program of controlled fishing and aggregation of rabbitfish. This experience shows that targeted culling can help reduce the pressure the species exerts on marine ecosystems and provide relief to fishermen, though it is not, in and of itself, a definitive solution.
“The rabbitfish is not merely a fishing issue. It is a problem that affects the income of professional fishermen, marine biodiversity, and public health. That is why it cannot be addressed in a piecemeal manner. It requires scientific evidence, systematic monitoring, cooperation with fishermen, and targeted interventions where the problem is most acute,” the Secretary General of Rural Development and Food, Spyros, told the Athenian – Macedonian News Agency.
It should be noted that the pilot initiative is to be funded by the Fisheries, Aquaculture, and the Sea (PALYTH) Program, and the relevant proposal has already been submitted to the European Commission for negotiation and approval.
The rabbitfish (Lagocephalus sceleratus) is one of the most characteristic examples of an invasive alien species that has established itself in the Mediterranean in recent years. This species is native to the Indian and western Pacific Oceans and entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, as part of the phenomenon known as “Lesseptian migration.”
When did it first appear in Greece?
In Greece, it was first recorded in 2005, and since then its presence has expanded significantly, mainly in the Aegean Sea, the Dodecanese, and Crete. Rising sea temperatures, the absence of confirmed natural predators, and the species’ high reproductive capacity are considered key factors favoring its spread.
This fish is particularly resilient and adaptable, capable of surviving in various marine environments. It is a carnivore and opportunistic predator, feeding mainly on fish, crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, as well as cephalopods such as octopuses and cuttlefish. Cannibalism has even been observed among individuals of the same species, a fact that reflects its great adaptability.
Its presence has significant impacts on marine biodiversity, as it affects the populations of other species and alters the balance of marine ecosystems. At the same time, it causes serious problems for the commercial fishing industry. With its powerful teeth, it can destroy nets, longlines, and gillnets, and it often destroys fish that have already been caught in fishing gear.
This damage translates into increased costs and loss of income for commercial fishermen, especially in coastal and island regions where fishing is a key pillar of the local economy.
In addition to the environmental and economic impacts, the rabbitfish also poses a serious threat to public health. The species contains tetrodotoxin, a powerful neurotoxin that is not destroyed by either cooking or freezing. For this reason, its consumption is strictly prohibited.
Particular emphasis is placed on informing the public, tourism professionals, and fishing communities, as consumer protection is considered a critical element of the overall strategy to address the problem.
“The message must be clear: rabbitfish must not be consumed. It must not be cleaned, cooked, or sold on the market. Protecting public health is an absolute priority. At the same time, however, we must stand by professional fishermen, who are seeing their gear destroyed and their income squeezed by an invasive species that is changing the dynamics of our seas”, notes Mr. Protopsaltis.
What is required to address the phenomenon
As he points out, addressing this phenomenon requires the collection of reliable data and close cooperation among all stakeholders.
“We cannot tackle an invasive species without data. We need to know where it occurs, when its population is growing, which fishing gear is most effective, and which areas require immediate priority. Science, fishermen, and the government must work together. Only in this way can we move from identifying the problem to effectively managing it, with a level head and trust in science,” he emphasizes.
Finally, as the relevant agencies point out, managing the quantities that may be collected as part of the pilot program requires special planning, as the toxicity of the species necessitates safe procedures for collection, storage, transport, and final disposal of the biomass, in a manner that ensures both public health and environmental protection.
