Filenews 6 August 2022 - by Despina Psyllou
Lionfish, batters, lagocephalians, purple jellyfish are some of the invaders in Cypriot waters and more widely in the Mediterranean, which climate change has brought about. The increase in sea temperature and the prolonged duration of high values in water bodies brings consequences, which can even become disastrous for the environment. This is what the marine biologist and researcher at the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute, Dr. Louis Hadjioannou tells "F", describing the death of corals. The threat to Cyprus and the Mediterranean was also noted by the coastal engineer and director of the Centre for Studies and Research "Akti", Dr. Xenia Loizidou.
"There is an increase in temperature, in general in the Mediterranean sea", said Dr. Chatziioannou and added: "In Cyprus what we are recording is an increase in anomalies. Sometimes we measure temperatures above the normal average of the last 25 to 30 years, which are also prolonged. For example, in the past we may have seen a higher temperature of 30 degrees Celsius on the sea surface for one day. Now, we may be recording 31 degrees and that temperature persists for two consecutive weeks."
These phenomena, Dr. Chatziioannou said, have negative effects and impacts on the environment and life at sea, as well as on biodiversity. For years, as he explained, he has been conducting studies on corals. "It was observed and unfortunately it was proved, especially in the years when the temperature rises with prolonged duration, that corals are dying." The same thing happens to sponges. "That is, organizations that help by creating biocommunities." Another dimension of the problem is that tropicalization of the Mediterranean is increasing, i.e. the alien species that arrive from the Red Sea through the Suez Canal are increasing. "These species, because the temperature rises, find fertile ground to survive, multiply and expand, at the risk of displacing native/or endemic species." Foreign (invasive) species, he clarified, compete with local ones for limited resources (e.g. food) and thus threaten them.
Some of the invaders are dangerous species for humans, because they have poison and are toxic or even because they cause damage. However, others are certain edible species or contribute to other sectors, such as diving tourism. After all, he said, alien species had been reaching our seas for more than 100 years. "It was just that their appearance in smaller populations was very gradual as well." In those that had a positive effect, Dr. Chatziioannou mentioned the Cork fish, which came from the Red Sea, are edible and with a fairly high market value. Another species, he said, is lionfish. "It's delicious and started getting into the market. It's also a very beautiful one to observe." On the contrary, he said, lagocephalus (Toad Fish related to the Puffer Fish) are toxic to humans and cases of serious poisoning have been recorded. "They have increased tremendously in number. They damage the fishermen's equipment and reduce their catch." Another negative appearance in the seas is that of jellyfish.
Need to take action
Proper information and drastic changes are needed, stressed Dr. Hatziioannou. "In addition, marine literacy will help people understand about these problems, as well as adapt. For example, the lionfish that entered the fish markets". Of great importance, however, for Dr. Chatziioannou is to develop early detection mechanisms.
"To recognize the arrival of alien species as soon as possible, so that actions can be followed immediately. When 10 years ago the lionfish appeared in Famagusta, where due to their location they first appeared, it was only one to three fish. We, biologists and researchers, asked for permission to remove them while the population was limited. Finally, until the European and Cypriot mechanism moved, two years passed and it was impossible to remove them due to the number.
Another solution, he said, is to increase the protected marine areas and have proper management measures, which are implemented. We need strict control and more proper management. "Everything we do we have to study and think about it, because there are effects first on the environment and then on us."
