Nearly 145 metric tons of rabbitfish have been caught in Cypriot waters over the past two years, as part of a plan to address this invasive and aggressive species, Nikoletta Varnava, the responsible official at the Department of Fisheries, told CNA. This plan runs through December 2029, with a budget of €1,304,000, 70% of which is funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture (EMFF).
Of the total amount allocated under the current plan, €685,000 has been paid to fishermen for the 145 metric tons of roundnose flounder delivered since June 2024. As Ms. Varnava explained, the funds are distributed to the 11 leaders of the professional fishermen’s groups and associations participating in the program, who then distribute the funds to the fishermen in each group, based on the weight of the fish they have caught. It should be noted that the rabbitfish handed over by the fishermen are taken to be incinerated by a licensed company.
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As Ms. Varnava explained to CNA, similar plans to address the increase in the rabbitfish population in Cypriot waters have been in place since 2012, as this non-native species has been present in the area for at least two decades.
During this time, although no attacks on humans by rabbitfish in Cypriot waters have been recorded, according to the Department of Fisheries, the growth of their population has significant implications for commercial fishermen, as they cause damage to both fishing gear and the catch. It should be noted, however, that effects on humans can only result from consumption of this specific species.
For this reason, the measures taken by the Department of Fisheries are primarily aimed at controlling the rabbitfish population. In this context, the Department of Fisheries is collecting data to assess the population of this species, in collaboration with commercial fishermen.
Ms. Varnava noted that Greece recently sought advice from Cyprus regarding the methodology it employs to address the spread of the species, following its appearance in Greek waters as well. When asked whether it has been determined that any other species, such as sea turtles, could serve as a natural predator for rabbitfish and help reduce their population, Ms. Varnava noted that the authorities are also waiting to determine whether any species can play this role.
Finally, Ms. Varnava mentioned that the Department of Fisheries is also monitoring other non-native species that have appeared in Cypriot waters in recent years, though these are not as aggressive as the rabbitfish. For example, Ms. Varnava noted that one of these species is the lionfish, which is edible once its spines are removed, and for this reason, the Department of Fisheries is conducting a campaign to promote it as a marketable species.
Source: CNA
