Assessment of Human Health Impacts from Invasive Pufferfish (Attacks, Poisonings and Fatalities) across the Eastern Mediterranean
by
, , , , , , , , , , and
Aylin Ulman
1
,
Abdel Fattah Nazmi Abd Rabou
2,
Sara Al Mabruk
3,
Michel Bariche
4,
Murat Bilecenoğlu
5
,
Nazli Demirel
6,
Bella S. Galil
7, 
Mehmet Fatih Hüseyinoğlu
8,
Carlos Jimenez
9
,
Louis Hadjioannou
10,
Ali Rıza Kosker
11
,
Panagiota Peristeraki
12,
Adib Saad
13,
Ziad Samaha
14,
Maria Th. Stoumboudi
15,
Tarek A. Temraz
16 and
Paraskevi K. Karachle
15,*
1
Mersea Marine Consulting, 48300 Fethiye, Türkiye
2
Departments of Biology and Marine Sciences, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza P.O. Box 108, Palestine
3
Nursing Department, Higher Institute of Science and Technology-Cyrene, Shahat 6036, Libya
4
Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut P.O. Box 11-0236, Lebanon
5
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Aydın Adnan Menderes University, 09010 Aydın, Türkiye
6
Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, Istanbul University, Fatih, 34134 Istanbul, Türkiye
7
The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Israel National Center for Biodiversity Studies, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
8
Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Kyrenia, 99320 Girne, Cyprus
9
Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, 2101 Nicosia, Cyprus
10
Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, 6023 Larnaca, Cyprus
11
Department of Seafood Processing Technology, Faculty of Fisheries, Cukurova University, 01330 Adana, Türkiye
12
Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, P.O. Box 2214, 71300 Heraklion, Greece
13
Directorate of Scientific Research and Publishing, Al-Manara University, Lattakia HQ28 RFM, Syria
14
General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM—FAO), Palazzo Blumenstihl, Via Vittoria Colonna 1, 00193 Rome, Italy
15
Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, 576 Vouliagmenis Ave., 16452 Argyroupoli, Greece
16
Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 8366004, Egypt
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Biology 2024, 13(4), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13040208
Submission received: 4 March 2024
/
Revised: 19 March 2024
/
Accepted: 19 March 2024
/
Published: 23 March 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 2nd Edition: Aquatic Alien Invasions and Their Impact on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services )
Simple Summary
Invasive alien species are a global threat to biodiversity, ecosystem services (e.g., tourism and fisheries) and human health. Pufferfishes are notorious for their toxicity and may also display aggressive behavior, thus posing a threat to human health. In this work, we collected records of attacks, poisonings and fatalities, due to Lagocephalus sceleratus and Torquigener hypselogeneion, in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, for the years 2004–2023. These records were retrieved from social media, and the grey and scientific literature, as well as from personal observations. Overall, 198 events impacting human health were documented: 28 records of physical attacks, at least 143 non-lethal poisoning episodes, and 27 human fatalities resulting from consumption. The number of recorded incidents greatly increased after 2019, especially with regards to poisonings, yet whether related to greater media attention, or to increased abundance is unclear. This is a baseline work for future monitoring and raising awareness. Thus, we urge the continuation of national campaigns to caution residents and tourists of these species’ high toxicities and potential aggressiveness.
Abstract
The silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin 1789), and to a lesser degree the orange spotted toadfish Torquigener hypselogeneion (Bleeker, 1852), pose threats to human health from physical attacks and poisonings in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. This study reviewed human health-related impacts resulting from these pufferfish, compiling and assessing records from online sources, the peer-reviewed literature, medical records, personal interviews, and observations across the Eastern Mediterranean in the years 2004 to 2023. A total of 198 events impacting human health were documented: 28 records of physical attacks, at least 144 non-lethal poisoning episodes, and 27 human fatalities resulting from consumption. The majority of the reported incidences occurred in Syria, Türkiye, and Lebanon. Most physical attacks occurred in summer, while most poisoning events occurred during winter. The number of recorded incidents greatly increased after 2019, especially with regard to poisonings, yet whether this is related to greater media attention, or to increased fish abundance is unclear. This is the first comprehensive study to collate findings on attacks, poisonings and fatalities caused by these pufferfish in the Mediterranean Sea, and may help in improving national health policies. We urge the continuation of national campaigns to caution residents and tourists of these species’ high toxicities and potential aggressiveness.
