Biologists Warn: Striped Eel Catfish Threatens Northern Cyprus’s Marine Ecosystem

The Association of Biologists has issued a warning about the striped eel catfish, a venomous species increasingly common in the Mediterranean, saying it poses a serious threat to both marine ecosystems and public health. These invasive species, which arrive through migratory routes, are causing significant damage to marine biodiversity and the fishing industry.

According to Association President Mustafa Kofalı, the spread of the striped eel catfish (Plotosus lineatus) around Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean coast is putting local ecosystems at serious risk. In a public statement, the association noted that the Mediterranean has been turning tropical due to climate change, rising sea temperatures, and human activity. These factors have accelerated the migration of species from the Red Sea into the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal — a process known in scientific circles as "Lessepsian migration."

More than 600 alien species have now made their way to Mediterranean shores, placing intense pressure on native marine life.

The striped eel catfish is particularly alarming. It poses a danger to human health with its venomous spines, travels in large schools, damages seabed habitats, and disrupts fishing operations. It tears through fishing nets, has no commercial value, and could also impact marine tourism.

In light of these concerns, scientists are calling for the creation of a national marine monitoring network, the launch of public awareness and coastal protection programs, better education for both the public and healthcare providers on venomous species, and the expansion of marine protected areas to safeguard local ecosystems.