Has the Silent Ecological Invasion in Turkish Waters Ended?
Over the past century, the Mediterranean has lost 41% of its top predators and 70% of its wetland areas due to global warming. “Around 70% of habitat loss of Posidonia oceanica is projected by 2050, with a potential for functional extinction by 2100,” warns the UN.
While winter brings short-term relief near the shores, the pufferfish species remains established year-round. Year-over-year ocean warming means their baseline winter range is steadily expanding northward and westward across the Mediterranean.
The proliferation of invasive species is inevitable due to the ecological disruption in the Mediterranean Sea. “More than one thousand non-indigenous species have been identified in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea,” reports the Food and Agriculture Organisation. Furthermore, 13 species of invasive pufferfish has been identified in the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean Conservation Society reports the existence of a total of 21 invasive species, including the killer algae, rapa whelk, needle spined urchin, and lionfish.
The Mediterranean marine life is threatened more than ever by this invasion. Pufferfish are migrating from the Suez Canal as a result of an increase in sea temperature, and contrary to popular belief, the pufferfish is not a single species as the Mediterranean is being invaded by more than 13 species of pufferfish at the moment. The lack of natural predators allows them to rapidly populate and spread across the region as they are not only disrupting the ecosystem but also damaging the economy by harming the nets and fishing gear of fishermen.
The invasion of the pufferfish species is not new in the region. Despite several wildlife conservation organisations alarming the public since 2005, Turkish authorities’ response has remained largely ineffective. While the countries Türkiye, Greece, and Cyprus are trying to combat the invasion by paying the fishermen per pufferfish tail they catch, seasonal approaches to the issue are not efficient. Consistent efforts in strengthening the resilience of the environment throughout all seasons are crucial in combating ecosystem collapses. Recently, Greece decided to install multiple kilometres-long protective nets across its gulfs to protect the region against invasive pufferfish and jellyfish. At the same time, while the nets guard against these species, it might further prevent the migration of native species.
In addition, discarding toxic pufferfish remains in public areas poses a severe risk to humans and stray animals due to high concentrations of lethal tetrodotoxin. The disposal of the collected pufferfish must be strictly monitored.
While raising awareness towards invasive species, it is important to understand that not all nonnative species are considered invasive. To be classified as invasive, the species should have no natural predators and actively disrupt the food chain by outcompeting locals. There are several recorded incidents of locals disrupting the native populations, including one in September where an individual in Bodrum pulled the endangered blue marlin by force to the coast and tortured the animal to death. A fine of five hundred thousand turkish lira was imposed on him, yet the fine won’t replace the life of the endangered blue marlin.
Without sustained, year-round environmental protection, Türkiye risks irreversible damage to its lively coastal waters. Even though pufferfish relocate away from seashores during cold months, this seasonal retreat offers only a temporary respite. Supporting organisations such as DEKAMER, Greenpeace, the Mediterranean Conservation Society, or the Underwater Research Society is among the primary individual measures to be taken in response to this situation.
Written by: Ece İrem Kenar
Edited by: Cemre Sanlav
