Plotosus lineatus detected in Cyprus
The Striped eel catfish, Plotosus lineatus, is included since 2019 in the list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern, under EU Reg. 1143/2014. It has been detected for the first time in European waters by Cyprus Competent Authority, which reported the finding to the Commission and gave early warning to all Member States through the official notification system, NOTSYS.
P. lineatus has characteristic features and venomous spines on its fins that it uses to sting for self-defense. Its skin possess cells that secrete venom.
It is known to be lethal to fish, crabs, and rodents in laboratory tests, and can also be dangerous to humans. Most reported incidents with P. lineatus involved fishermen who handled the fish caught in their nets.
The enlargement of the Suez Canal, the steady increase of transport through ships and the effects of climate change have resulted in new introductions of alien species and to a rise in the populations of invasive alien species in the Mediterranean Sea.
International collaboration through rapid dissemination of information and data sharing is essential to timely act and control new introductions. Considering the peculiarities of the marine environment, divers, anglers and tourists can contribute to early detection of alien species through Citizen Science. https://europa.eu/!qN48Kx
All the Plotosus lineatus records have been added to the EASIN geodatabase and are accessible through the search and mapping tool.