In an announcement issued by the Marine Protection and Inspection Office of the Ministry of Marine Resources within the Government of National Unity, a call was directed to the public, emphasizing the need for vigilance and extreme caution not to deal with or consume the poisonous pufferfish in any form. The Ministry has affirmed that these marine creatures pose a serious threat to individual health, as no effective treatment for the resulting poisoning exists.
The Ministry also indicated that the buying and selling of this type of fish are subject to an official and legal ban, based on Ministerial Decree No. (240) of 2024 issued by the Minister of Marine Resources. This precautionary measure aims to safeguard the well-being of citizens and ensure comprehensive protection of public health.
According to what was stated in this warning, the pufferfish, scientifically known as the “marine pufferfish,” is characterized by unique features including grey skin, a potential length reaching 53 centimeters, dark eyes, and front teeth closely resembling those of rabbits. The extreme danger of this fish lies in its biological composition, which contains toxic glands distributed throughout multiple areas of its body, starting from the skin and internal organs, passing through the spinal cord and liver, and extending even to the flesh itself, classifying it among the most dangerous types of fish worldwide.
It is noted that this fish is considered an alien and intrusive element to the Libyan marine ecosystem, believed to have reached the waters of the Mediterranean Sea from the Indian Ocean via a sea route extending through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, eventually settling and spreading in numerous coastal regions. In conclusion, the Ministry of Marine Resources appealed to all citizens to completely refrain from fishing, consuming, or even trading this fish, while emphasizing the importance of immediately reporting any sightings or incidents related to it, to preserve their lives.