Mediterranean invasive species proliferation

The Mediterranean's warming waters are drawing hundreds of invasive species

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The lionfish was first recorded in the eastern Mediterranean.

The lionfish, a venomous invasive species native to the Indo-Pacific, was first recorded in the eastern Mediterranean in 2012, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean. It has since expanded rapidly westward, following a pattern seen in other non-native species entering the basin.

The spread of invasive species in the Mediterranean accelerated after the early 2000s, coinciding with rising sea temperatures driven by climate change. Cyprus, due to its proximity to the Suez Canal—a key pathway for invasive species—was among the first areas to feel the impact. Scientists estimate that about 1,000 invasive species have been identified in the Mediterranean, with 800 firmly established.

Despite the ecological damage, some experts note economic benefits: Ernesto Azzuro, a marine biologist with the Italian National Research Council, said the lionfish is sold at high prices in certain countries. However, the species' poisonous spikes pose a risk to humans, and its predation has contributed to the decline of native stocks, including a 93% loss of mollusks in eastern Mediterranean shallows.

Spread of invasive species accelerated following rising sea temperatures.

While invasive species have been present in the Mediterranean for decades, their proliferation notably accelerated after the early 2000s. This rapid expansion has coincided with a documented rise in sea temperatures.

The impact of these changes is widespread; for example, extreme temperatures exceeding 30°C along the Adriatic coast have led to the death of nearly all mussels. Additionally, approximately 1,000 invasive species have been identified in the region, with about 800 established.