Greece: Greece steps up efforts against invasive pufferfish threatening marine life, fisheries.

SHOTLIST: ATHENS, GREECE (JULY 14, 2026) 1. VARIOUS OF SHINOS COAST 2. VARIOUS OF FISHES UNDER SEA 3. FISHERMAN CATCHING SOUCAR FISH FROM NEAR SEA 4. WHITE SOUCAR FISHING JUMPING IN SEA 5. VARIOUS OF SHINOS COAST 6. HEAD OF HELENIC MARINE RESEARCH CENTER, ANTONIS MAGULAS, SPEAKING TO REPORTER ATHENS, GREECE - JULY 14, 2026: Greece is considering additional measures to limit the spread of invasive pufferfish, which have increasingly affected marine biodiversity, fishing equipment and coastal activity. The species entered the Mediterranean from the Red Sea after the opening of the Suez Canal and can be deadly if consumed because of toxins in its flesh. Reports of damage to fishing nets and encounters near beaches have brought the issue onto the public and government agenda. Authorities announced financial support of €5.33 ($6.20) per kilogram for pufferfish caught in Crete and the southern Aegean, where the species is more common. The issue has also been raised in the European Parliament, with Greek lawmaker Sakis Arnaoutoglou calling for a common European strategy against invasive species entering the Mediterranean from the Red Sea. Fisherman Michalis Karpodinis, who helped launch a nationwide pufferfish-catching competition, said the initiative aimed to raise awareness and map the species’ distribution rather than eradicate it. He said reducing excessive fishing of natural predators such as garfish and dolphinfish could help restore balance in the marine ecosystem. Marine biologist Antonis Magoulas said eliminating pufferfish from the Mediterranean was not realistic, but their numbers could be limited through targeted fishing incentives and protection of predator species. He added that pufferfish are poisonous when eaten but do not inject venom when they bite, advising swimmers to remain calm and move away if they encounter one. The species has been recorded mainly around Crete, the Dodecanese and the Saronic Gulf, while sightings have also been reported farther north.