Un pêcheur tire le poisson le plus toxique de la mer Adriatique

A Croatian fisherman caught the world's most venomous fish in the Adriatic Sea near Rijeka. On Tuesday, Dražen Puškaš pulled up a roughly 1.5 kilogram heavy Lagocephalus sceleratus, commonly known as the hasenkopf-kugelfisch or "hasenkopf" for its rabbit-like head. The fish, which is considered highly toxic due to its potent nerve toxin tetrodotoxin, was carefully removed from the hook using tongs to avoid direct contact. Puškaš shared his catch on Facebook with a humorous caption asking, “Will someone take him?” The fish, identified as a species native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, entered the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal and has been spreading steadily since its first documented appearance in 2003. It is now found in various parts of the region, including the Kvarner Bay. The recent catch near Rijeka marks another expansion of the invasive species into new waters. The fish contains tetrodotoxin, a powerful neurotoxin that can be lethal if ingested. While swimming poses no immediate danger, consuming the fish is considered life-threatening. Despite this, the fish is not typically harmful to swimmers. However, reports indicate that fishermen often suffer severe bite wounds from its sharp, beak-like teeth during net cleaning. Puškaš handed over the specimen to the Natural History Museum in Rijeka for scientific analysis. The museum will examine the fish to better understand its impact on local biodiversity. Scientists at the Greek Center for Marine Research (HCMR) note that while there are few targeted studies on the effects of the hasenkopf-kugelfisch, models suggest it could negatively affect native species. The fish lacks natural predators and adapts well to new environments. In Greece, fishermen have received incentives for catching the species, as it damages fishing gear and competes with native fish. Similar programs exist in Turkey, where around 290,000 individuals were caught last year, preventing an estimated 22 million new fish from being born. This initiative is viewed as successful in controlling the population. Only one case of poisoning among tourists has been recorded, involving five foreign sailors who consumed the fish and suffered symptoms but survived. The HCMR reassures that risks remain low compared to injuries caused by other local marine life.