Preventing 14 Million Puffer Fish from Entering the Ecosystem with Incentive Application
Image description: A photograph of a pufferfish, a species being targeted for management by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry after a tragic incident of poisoning a family of seven in Hatay, Turkey.
Turkey Increases Efforts to Combat Spread of Poisonous Pufferfish
Mahir Kanyılmaz, Head of Resource Management and Fishery Structures Department of the General Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, recently discussed the ongoing work to combat the spread of pufferfish in Turkish waters. This issue has been thrust into the spotlight following the poisoning of a family of seven in the İskenderun district of Hatay.
Kanyılmaz explained that the pufferfish, originally from the Indo-Pacific region, had previously been prevented from entering the Mediterranean due to the presence of the Nile River, which acted as a barrier with its freshwater flow that restricted the species’ spread beyond the Suez Canal.
“However, due to the construction of dams and decreased freshwater flow on the Nile River, this barrier has gradually disappeared, allowing the pufferfish to make its way into the Mediterranean. It was first spotted in Israel in 1987 and later reached the coasts of Turkey in 2002. Since then, its presence has continued to expand in the area from the Gulf of Iskenderun to Izmir,” Kanyılmaz stated.
Although pufferfish have been reported in scientific studies in the Black Sea, the predominant population is concentrated in the Mediterranean and the Aegean. With current predictions suggesting a potential spread to the Marmara and Black Sea over the long term due to the impact of climate change, the Ministry has intensified its efforts to manage and control the species.
As part of these efforts, a pilot study conducted in December 2020 led to the capture of 46,192 pufferfish. Kanyılmaz emphasized the subsequent impact of the study, highlighting strong demand for its continuation. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has provided support for this initiative over the years 2021, 2022, and 2023, with financial assistance given to fishermen for the safe removal of pufferfish from the ecosystem.
Kanyılmaz also stressed the importance of this support, noting that it has not only prevented an estimated 14 million new pufferfish individuals from entering the ecosystem but has also had a positive impact on the livelihoods of fishermen and the overall health of the aquatic environment.
Highlighted as one of the most harmful fish in the Mediterranean, pufferfish consumption poses significant risks to humans due to the presence of strong toxins in their bodies. Kanyılmaz advised against consuming pufferfish and praised Turkey’s efforts to contribute to tourism while safeguarding public health through these support measures.
These ongoing efforts underscore Turkey’s commitment to balancing environmental conservation and public safety, as the country continues to address the unique challenges posed by invasive species in its waters.
