The toxic puffer fish, identified for its deadly influence on people and different marine life, has altered its migration route as a consequence of rising sea temperatures, shifting from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean and the Marmara Sea.
Erdoğan Kartal, president of the Istanbul Fisheries Cooperatives Association, highlighted the influence of local weather change on marine life, emphasizing the invasive nature of the puffer fish.
Attributing the species’ migration to the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas to world warming, Kartal expressed concern over the potential unfold to the Marmara and Black Seas. He emphasised the adaptability of the puffer fish to new environments, describing it as an invasive species threatening native fish populations.
Global warming alters numerous fish species’ migration patterns and reproductive qualities, resulting in potential dangers for marine ecosystems. Kartal warned that the fast replica and toxicity of the puffer fish may have detrimental results on native fish populations and disrupt the livelihoods of fishermen within the affected areas.
In response to the ecological risk posed by puffer fish, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has initiated a program buying the tails of those hazardous marine creatures. Stating the severity of the scenario, the ministry pays TL 12.5 ($0.41) for bigger puffer fish tails, with roughly 15,000 tails collected in 2023 alone. The toxic nature of puffer fish and their fast replica have led the ministry to take preventive measures towards their proliferation.
Noting the risks related to consuming puffer fish, Kartal emphasised the presence of poison throughout the fish that may trigger paralysis and even fatalities in people. He urged the general public to chorus from consuming this species, advising skilled dealing with if encountered. Kartal additional warned towards swimming close to these fish, as their poison may hurt people with open wounds.
Looking forward, Kartal addressed challenges confronted by the fishing trade within the new yr. Expressing issues in regards to the dwindling dimension of anchovies and horse mackerel, he remarked that the fishing season didn’t fare properly in 2023. Despite expectations, bonito, bluefish and mackerel yields had been reported to be decrease than desired, contributing to elevated fish costs. Kartal highlighted 2023 as one of many trade’s difficult years, emphasizing the necessity for sustainable fishing practices to deal with these ongoing points.
Expressing issues in regards to the influence of climate circumstances on fishing, Kartal emphasised the altering local weather, with winters turning into hotter and negatively affecting each land agriculture and sea fishing. Highlighting a decline in fish replica charges and development as a consequence of rising temperatures, Kartal indicated the necessity for radical selections to deal with the sector’s challenges.
Anticipating a shortage of fish, notably anchovies and bluefish, Kartal steered that residents of Istanbul might have to shift to consuming extra rooster. He underscored the shared duty of the state, fishermen and residents to make sure the sustainability of the fishing trade, emphasizing the significance of permitting each fish to spawn no less than as soon as.
To promote sustainable fishing, Kartal referred to as for measures towards air pollution and overfishing. He urged fishermen to stick to dimension laws and keep away from unlawful and poaching actions. Kartal additionally directed a message to customers, advising towards buying undersized fish to guard the fishing trade.
Professor Cengiz Deval from Akdeniz University Faculty of Fisheries added worthwhile insights, noting the presence of almost 200 puffer fish species, some residing in freshwater and others in saltwater. While acknowledging the existence of non-poisonous puffer fish, Deval emphasised the numerous hazard posed by toxic species, of which there are eight in Turkish waters. The ministry has banned catching and touchdown puffer fish as a consequence of their toxicity, with Deval stressing the necessity for warning in dealing with these probably deadly species.
Deval highlighted the proliferation of puffer fish in Turkish waters, attributed to the gradual warming of the seas. Originating from the Suez Canal, these fish initially appeared in Hatay and Mersin, step by step spreading to Antalya and the Aegean Sea, and at the moment are shifting towards the Marmara and Black Sea.
Deval emphasised the detrimental influence of overfishing on different species, leaving the poisonous puffer fish to dominate the atmosphere. With their sharp tooth and prolific replica – an estimated 1 million eggs laid by a 1-kilogram (2.21-pound) grownup – these toxic fish pose a major risk.
Consumption of puffer fish may end up in quick signs resembling dry tongue, shortness of breath, and nausea, with probably deadly penalties if left untreated. Deval warned sternly towards consuming these toxic fish, stressing the pressing want for public consciousness and warning to forestall extreme well being dangers.
Source: www.dailysabah.com