Greece is seeking European Commission approval for a paid fishing program aimed at reducing the damage caused by invasive pufferfish in its waters, as the species continues to disrupt coastal fishing and destroy valuable equipment.
The Ministry of Rural Development and Food has drafted a plan that would pay professional fishermen to catch the species, offering financial relief to a sector already under pressure from damaged nets, lost catches, and rising fuel costs. The proposal follows a similar scheme in Cyprus, where authorities say fishermen have already removed nearly 103 tons of pufferfish from Cypriot waters.
The invasive pufferfish damages nets, longlines, and other fishing gear, while also threatening marine life. The species is highly aggressive and carnivorous, feeding on fish, crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp, and cephalopods including octopus and cuttlefish.
Greece seeks EU approval for pufferfish program
Spyros Protopsaltis, secretary general at Greece’s Ministry of Rural Development and Food, told Greece’s public broadcaster ERT, that the spread of invasive pufferfish has become “a major problem,” particularly for professional fishermen.
He stressed, however, that Greece does not expect the program to eliminate pufferfish from its seas entirely.
“There are no magic solutions, and pufferfish will not disappear,” Protopsaltis said, pointing to Cyprus as an example of how targeted fishing can help support the sector, even if it does not fully solve the problem.
Greece negotiates incentive rate for fishermen
One of the main issues under discussion is how much fishermen would receive for each kilogram of pufferfish they catch. Cyprus pays 4.73 euros per kilogram, but Protopsaltis suggested that this rate may not offer a strong enough incentive for Greek fishermen.
“We are trying to lock in the price, because this requires negotiation,” he said.
He added that the payment must make targeted fishing worthwhile, especially as fuel costs continue to place pressure on professional fishermen.
“Our goal is to secure a better price and help our fishermen,” Protopsaltis said, noting that rising diesel prices have made fishing operations more expensive.
Cyprus caught nearly 103 tons of invasive pufferfish
Cyprus has already moved ahead with a large-scale subsidy program targeting Lagocephalus sceleratus, commonly known as the silver-cheeked toadfish. Since the launch of the program in June 2024, fishermen have caught nearly 103,000 kilograms, or about 103 tons, of the species in Cypriot waters.
The program receives joint funding from the European Fisheries Fund and the government of Cyprus and will run until the end of 2029. It encourages professional coastal fishermen to target the species by paying them 4.73 euros for every kilogram they deliver.
According to the fund, authorities have already paid approximately 487,000 euros to participating fishermen. Eleven collective groups, representing around 150 professional fishermen, have joined the initiative.
Greece’s fishing program targets invasive pufferfish spreading through the Mediterranean
The pufferfish entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal and has now spread across much of Cyprus’ coastal waters. Its growing presence has also raised concern in Greece, where fishermen face similar damage to equipment and catches.
Katerina Georgiou, an official at Cyprus’ Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, told to the Cypriot news outlet Sigmalive that the main goal of the program is to reduce the damage the species causes to coastal fishing.
The species has become known for tearing nets and destroying fishing gear, creating both economic and operational problems for fishermen.
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