Cyprus fishermen catch 145 tonnes of silver-cheeked toadfish under control scheme

Nicosia, Cyprus. Almost 145 tonnes of silver-cheeked toadfish, locally known as hare’s head, have been caught in Cypriot waters over the past two years under a fisheries department control programme.

The scheme, which runs until 2029, has a budget of €1.304 million, with 70 per cent financed by the European fisheries fund.

Payments and disposal

Fisheries department marine research officer Nikoletta Varnava told the Cyprus News Agency on Friday that €685,000 had been paid to fishermen for the 145 tonnes delivered since June 2024.

Payments are made to the heads of fishermen’s associations participating in the scheme, who distribute the funds among their members according to the weight of fish caught.

Fish delivered through the programme are collected for incineration by a licensed company.

Population control

Varnava said similar plans targeting the species’ population have been in place since 2012. The toadfish has been established in Cypriot waters for the past two decades.

No attacks on humans have been recorded in Cyprus, but the department said the growing population has caused significant damage to fishing gear and catches.

The department’s measures are primarily intended to reduce the population, while data collected in cooperation with professional fishermen are used to monitor numbers.

Regional consultation

Greece recently sought consultation with Cyprus on the methodology used to address the species’ spread after it appeared in Greek waters, Varnava said.

Asked whether species such as sea turtles could act as natural predators and reduce toadfish numbers, she said it remained unclear whether any species could fulfil that role.