Products of global warming in Turkish fish markets

Monday, March 31, 2008

ISTANBUL - Anatolia news agency

Tropical oceanic puffer fish (lagocephalus sceletarus), which represents a evidence of global warming in Turkish seas, has begun to be sold in fish markets. Puffer fish, found in the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean, started to migrate to the Mediterranean from the Red Sea as a result of climate change.

The fish is sold in Mersin as ‘frog fish' for YTL 8.5 per kilo. However experts warn that the fish contains tetrodotoxin (TTX) which could lead to muscle paralysis, respiratory disorder, or even death related to circulation failure.

According to Associate Professor Cem Çevik from the Faculty of Fisheries at Çukurova University, the Mediterranean is gradually becoming tropical which is affecting the whole basin. "Puffer fish were detected in the Mediterranean a couple of years ago but the incident did not draw much attention since the fish were low in number,” Çevik said. “However they reproduced quickly and their number increased dramatically with the new waves of migration," he said.

"Now studies are being conducted on the affect of this species on Turkish waters. We know that the puffer fish existing in our waters are not very poisonous. There are many more poisonous varieties in the Far East. Still it is not a safe fish to consume," he said.

Moreover Çevik said the puffer was not the only tropical fish to have appeared on the Turkish market. "More affordable species have also came to our shores due to global warming, like atherina, keeled mullet and mackerel. However these species are safe for consumption," he said.