Addressing the ecological and economic challenges posed by the invasive pufferfish in the Mediterranean, the LagoMeal project, backed by the European Union, has successfully converted this menace into a valuable resource for fish feed.
Originating in the Red Sea and traversing the Suez Canal, the pufferfish, specifically Lagocephalus sceleratus, poses a significant threat to the biodiversity and fisheries of the Mediterranean. With no natural predators due to its potent nerve toxin, the pufferfish causes damage to fishing gear, consumes native species, and leads to substantial financial losses for Greek fishers.
The innovative approach of the LagoMeal project, supported by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), involved deactivating the pufferfish’s deadly toxin, making it safe for consumption and turning it into high-quality fish feed.
The invasive pufferfish not only jeopardizes marine ecosystems but also exacerbates the challenge of diminishing fish feed supplies. As aquaculture expands, the demand for aquafeed rises, placing strain on traditional fish feed sources that are already over-exploited.
Greece, for instance, faces a shortfall in fish feed production, necessitating the import of 50,000 tons annually at a cost of around €70 million. The LagoMeal project sought a win-win solution by turning the invasive pufferfish into a valuable resource for fish feed.
Dr. I. Negas, the project’s scientific lead, emphasized the strategy of creating value for the unwanted aquatic population to control its inevitable invasion. The process involved heat-treating the pufferfish to eliminate the toxin, creating a market for a previously undesirable species.
Trials demonstrated that cooking the pufferfish at specific temperatures effectively deactivated the poison, making it safe for human consumption and suitable for fish feed. Feeding trials revealed promising results, showing that European sea bass thrived with pufferfish fish feed replacing up to 30% of conventional fish feed in their diets.
The project’s business plan proposed a small plant capable of processing 1,500 tons/year of pufferfish, producing 250 tons/year of fish feed, and 100 tons/year of fish oil. The estimated annual return on investment over ten years ranged from 15-25%, depending on compensatory measures for fishers.
This innovative project, made possible by EU funding, not only addressed the invasive species issue but also established connections between the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) and coastal fishers. The acquired knowledge and expertise, along with the fish feed production equipment, position HCMR for future collaborations and research programs on alternative protein sourcing for fish feed production.
