Going on holiday? Deadly lionfish are invading the Mediterranean due to rising sea temperatures, warn scientists
- They are beautiful, but also deadly due to their venomous spines
- Caused environmental havoc after they were introduced to Caribbean
- Sting is extremely painful and can cause vomiting and allergic reaction
- Have colonised almost entire south east coast of Cyprus in just one year
Holidaymakers seeking sunshine in Mediterranean waters are at risk of venomous lionfish, scientists warn.
Rising sea temperatures are encouraging poisonous species of alien lionfish to invade and breed near popular tourist destinations.
Having almost colonised an entire coast of Cyprus in just one year, the fearsome predators reduce the biodiversity of many aquatic environments.
Lionfish possess venom in their fin rays, which makes them excellent predators and a threat to fishermen
And the widening and deepening of the Suez Canal has put the entire region at risk of invasion, according to research published in Marine Biodiversity Records.
Lionfish, which are beautiful but deadly, possess venom in their fin rays, which makes them excellent predators and a threat to fishermen and divers.
Although the stings are rarely fatal, in extreme cases they can cause nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions as well as severe pain.
Native to the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, the Pterois miles - otherwise known as the 'Devil Firefish' - has rapidly invaded the south eastern coast of Cyprus.
Demetris Kletou, of the Environmental Research Lab in Limassol, Cyprus, said: 'Until now, few sightings of the alien lionfish Pterois miles have been reported in the Mediterranean.
'It was questionable whether the species could invade this region like it has in the western Atlantic.
'But we've found that lionfish have recently increased in abundance, and within a year have colonised almost the entire south eastern coast of Cyprus, assisted by sea surface warming.'
Lionfish are carnivores and feed on a variety of fish and crustaceans, with larger species preying almost exclusively on fish.
They spawn every four days producing almost two million eggs a year, with their venomous spines deterring predators from hunting them.
Their buoyant eggs ride ocean currents and can cover large distances before eventually settling.
Researchers collated information on reported encounters in coastal waters from divers and fishermen.
Professor Jason Hall Spencer, of the School of Marine Science and Engineering at Plymouth University, said: 'Groups of lionfish exhibiting mating behaviour have been noted for the first time in the Mediterranean.
'By publishing this information, we can help stakeholders plan mitigating action, such as offering incentives for divers and fishermen to run lionfish removal programmes, which have worked well at shallow depths in the Caribbean, and restoring populations of potential predators, such as the dusky grouper.
Having almost colonised an entire coast of Cyprus in just one year, the fearsome predators reduce the biodiversity of many aquatic environments, according to environmentalists
'Given that the Suez Canal has recently been widened and deepened, measures will need to be put in place to help prevent further invasion.'
The voracious fish caused environmental havoc after it was introduced to the Caribbean.
Lionfish were first recorded in Cuba in 2007, and within two years, they were common in waters around the island.
The Association of Caribbean States organised a summit to discuss ways of combating the fish's spread.
Cuba, Colombia and the Bahamas have encouraged their populations to start eating the fish to keep down numbers.
Cuba now holds an annual fishing tournament for the species. Restaurants have begun serving its white, juicy flesh, long enjoyed as a delicacy in Japan.
The first sightings of the fish in Mediterranean waters were off Israel in 1991. More recently, they have been seen in Lebanese and Tunisian waters, according to the UICN.
The fish may have been introduced by aquarium enthusiasts who let them loose, or via the Suez Canal from the Red Sea, where there is a flourishing population.
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