About 1000 alien species have been reported in the Mediterranean Sea, more by far than in other European seas. A small number of the marine invasive alien species induce human health impacts, being venomous and poisonous. Recently, the news of the death of three Libyan fishers who consumed the poisonous silvercheeked toadfish, have drawn the attention of the media and the public. As marine scientists, engaged in the study of alien species, we wish to provide accurate information concerning these new health hazards.

Among the alien species recorded in the Mediterranean Sea, ten are noted as human health hazards – seven fish, a sea urchin, a scyphozoan jellyfish and a hydrozoan. Most have either been post-millennial records or have greatly increased their spread in the last decade. All originate in the Indian Ocean or the Indo-west Pacific Ocean and are considered to have entered the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Four species are confined to the Levant and Tunisia, and even for those recorded further west and north (e.g. Silvercheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus, Dusky spinefoot Siganus luridus, Marbled spinefoot Siganus rivulatus, Nomadic jellyfish Rhopilema nomadica and Lionfish Pterois miles), the largest populations occur in the Levant. With rising temperature, it is likely these thermophilic species will expand their range.

To this end, we publish together with other major scientists working on the Mediterranean alien species, a Joint Press Release which describes the characteristics and distribution of these species, as well as ways that citizens can contribute in their monitoring.

You can download the Joint Press Release from HERE