The Greek government has launched a new compensation scheme paying fishermen for every kilogram of silver-cheeked toadfish they catch, aiming to curb the rapid spread of the venomous species in the Mediterranean.
The initiative addresses a growing ecological and public safety crisis as the aggressive fish, native to the Red Sea, continues its northward migration driven by rising sea temperatures.
The move follows a sharp increase in attacks on swimmers and bathers along Greek coastlines, prompting the Greek Red Cross to issue its first official first-aid guidelines for toadfish bites.
Experts warn that the species' hunting behavior is changing, making it more dangerous to humans and local marine ecosystems.
The financial incentives are designed to turn a public health hazard into an economic opportunity for local fishing communities while reducing the population of the invasive predator.
This development marks a significant escalation in the management of the toadfish invasion, which has been spreading across the Mediterranean for years.