On Northern Cyprus, fishermen have turned in nearly 25,000 "Fugu" fish for 300,000 Turkish Lira

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Payments were announced for fishermen catching pufferfish and beekeepers for beehives.

In total, 44 fishermen delivered 24,907 poisonous pufferfish, also known as rabbit fish or balloon fish, to the Department of Animal Husbandry in 2023. The total payment for them amounted to 298,800 TL.

Additionally, in 2023, 238 beekeepers informed the Veterinary Department about 20,641 beehives. The total payment for them was 2,477,000 TL.

The statement from the ministry emphasizes that beekeepers received their payments for hives for the year 2023 from the Beekeeping Cooperative, while fishermen received money for Fugu fish from the Central Bank Cooperative.

The silver rabbit-headed pufferfish, also known as the rabbit fish or balloon fish, was first discovered in the waters of Cyprus in 2004. Presumably, this poisonous pufferfish entered the Mediterranean Sea from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal. Since then, the population of this dangerous fish has significantly increased, causing serious damage to the fishing industry by depleting the population of commercial fish species.

To reduce the population of pufferfish, the Cypriot government has developed a special program for fishermen. Fishermen receive monetary rewards for each kilogram of Fugu fish.

Read more about other dangerous marine inhabitants along the coasts of Cyprus on our website.