In Alanya, they were caught and received 7 thousand lira

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's regulations on pufferfish fishing were published in the Official Gazette and came into effect. As a result, three pufferfish fishermen in Alanya last year caught a total of 882 pufferfish and received a cash prize.

In recent years, fishing has been encouraged to combat the rapidly increasing population of invasive pufferfish in the Mediterranean and Aegean seas. Pufferfish purchases in Alanya began on January 3, 2022. The fish are accepted either whole or with tails. District Agriculture Director Mehmet Rüzgar emphasized that the purchases are ongoing under the supervision of the District Agriculture Directorate, and in 2023, three fishermen delivered a total of 882 pufferfish and received a total cash prize of 7,615 TL.

PURCHASES FOR 2024 ARE ONGOING

Speaking about pufferfish activities in 2023, Rüzgar said, "Our purchases for 2024 are ongoing. While 882 pufferfish were caught in 2023, the total prize awarded to three fishermen was recorded as 7,615 TL."

PUFFERFISH MOVING AWAY FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN

Due to temperatures exceeding seasonal norms, the poisonous pufferfish, which entered the Mediterranean from the Red Sea, has turned its route to the Aegean and Marmara seas. Experts emphasize that the warming waters in Turkey facilitate the adaptation of pufferfish. These fish, entering through the Suez Canal, first reached Hatay and Mersin, then Antalya and the Aegean Sea, and are now advancing towards the Marmara and Black Seas.