Mohamed Ali LABNI, BEN ABDALLAH O.
Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer, Tunisia
E-mail: labnidali96@gmail.com
ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACTS OF THE SILVER-CHEEKED
TOADFISH LAGOCEPHALUS SCELERATUS (GMELIN, 1789) ON
NORTHERN TUNISIAN FISHERIES
Abstract
The silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus is one of the recent Lessepsian invaders in
the Mediterranean Sea, where it was recorded in various locations and has rapidly colonized
the eastern basin. This toxic fish presents a serious risk for public health. In Tunisia, L.
sceleratus was recorded for the first time in 2010 in the Southern coasts (Gulf of Gabes), then in
2012 in the Northern coasts. However, the impacts of L. sceleratus in Tunisian waters have not
been assessed. Thus, surveys based on LEK were carried out at the main ports and landing
points in the northern coasts of Tunisia. Results showed that, despite its low abundance, the
silver-cheeked toad-fish negatively interacts with fishing gears (setnets and lines), causing
damages on catches. We concluded that this Lessepsian immigrant has already started
generating a reduction in the profitability of the fishing activity of small scale fisheries.
Key-words: Lagocephalus sceleratus, impacts, Northern Tunisia, Central Mediterranean.
Introduction
Invasive Lessepsian species, can have serious impacts on marine life, fisheries, human wellbeing and human health in the Mediterranean Sea. Of these species, the silver-cheeked toad
Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) is of particular concern. In Tunisian waters, L.
sceleratus was recorded for the first time in the Gulf of Gabes (Central Mediterranean) in
December 2010 (Jribi and Bradai, 2012). Then, additional occurrences of the species were
recorded in the central and northern coasts (Ben Souissi et al 2014). Actions of awareness
were taken in Tunisia, to alert consumers and fishers on the potential danger of this toxic
species. However, the impacts of L. sceleratus in Tunisia have not been assessed. Thus, by
this preliminary work, we tried to fill this gap and investigate the consequences of this
invasion on the fishing activity of northern Tunisian coasts.
Material and methods
In order to collect information on the spread and impacts of the silver-cheeked toad-fish
Lagocephalus sceleratus in Nothern Tunisia, field surveys based on the Local
Ecological Knowledge (LEK) were conducted in the main ports and landing points of
fishery products in the area (figure 1).
Results
Almost all the interviewed fishers were able to correctly identify L. sceleratus. They
were also informed on the associated threats to human health, when consumed. A large
percentage of them stated that this non-indigenous fish had negative interactions with
fishing gears, representing a major problem for coastal biodiversity and for the
profitability of their fishing activities. Indeed, according to interviews conducted with
45% of fishermen in northern Tunisia, L. sceleratus could cause nuisance because it
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
101
Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer, Tunisia
E-mail: labnidali96@gmail.com
ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACTS OF THE SILVER-CHEEKED
TOADFISH LAGOCEPHALUS SCELERATUS (GMELIN, 1789) ON
NORTHERN TUNISIAN FISHERIES
Abstract
The silver-cheeked toadfish Lagocephalus sceleratus is one of the recent Lessepsian invaders in
the Mediterranean Sea, where it was recorded in various locations and has rapidly colonized
the eastern basin. This toxic fish presents a serious risk for public health. In Tunisia, L.
sceleratus was recorded for the first time in 2010 in the Southern coasts (Gulf of Gabes), then in
2012 in the Northern coasts. However, the impacts of L. sceleratus in Tunisian waters have not
been assessed. Thus, surveys based on LEK were carried out at the main ports and landing
points in the northern coasts of Tunisia. Results showed that, despite its low abundance, the
silver-cheeked toad-fish negatively interacts with fishing gears (setnets and lines), causing
damages on catches. We concluded that this Lessepsian immigrant has already started
generating a reduction in the profitability of the fishing activity of small scale fisheries.
Key-words: Lagocephalus sceleratus, impacts, Northern Tunisia, Central Mediterranean.
Introduction
Invasive Lessepsian species, can have serious impacts on marine life, fisheries, human wellbeing and human health in the Mediterranean Sea. Of these species, the silver-cheeked toad
Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) is of particular concern. In Tunisian waters, L.
sceleratus was recorded for the first time in the Gulf of Gabes (Central Mediterranean) in
December 2010 (Jribi and Bradai, 2012). Then, additional occurrences of the species were
recorded in the central and northern coasts (Ben Souissi et al 2014). Actions of awareness
were taken in Tunisia, to alert consumers and fishers on the potential danger of this toxic
species. However, the impacts of L. sceleratus in Tunisia have not been assessed. Thus, by
this preliminary work, we tried to fill this gap and investigate the consequences of this
invasion on the fishing activity of northern Tunisian coasts.
Material and methods
In order to collect information on the spread and impacts of the silver-cheeked toad-fish
Lagocephalus sceleratus in Nothern Tunisia, field surveys based on the Local
Ecological Knowledge (LEK) were conducted in the main ports and landing points of
fishery products in the area (figure 1).
Results
Almost all the interviewed fishers were able to correctly identify L. sceleratus. They
were also informed on the associated threats to human health, when consumed. A large
percentage of them stated that this non-indigenous fish had negative interactions with
fishing gears, representing a major problem for coastal biodiversity and for the
profitability of their fishing activities. Indeed, according to interviews conducted with
45% of fishermen in northern Tunisia, L. sceleratus could cause nuisance because it
2nd Mediterranean Symposium on the Non-Indigenous Species (Genoa, Italy, 22-23 September 2022)
101