On January 2, in Iskenderun, amateur fisherman and motor mechanic Müfit Arslan consumed the puffer fish he caught with his family, and 7 people were poisoned along with him. Among the 7 people referred to Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine Balcalı Hospital in Adana, Arslan’s health condition was serious and his family members were discharged while his treatment continued.
ASSOCIATE PROF. DR. BLOWN FISH WARNING FROM ALİ RIZA KÖŞKER
Köşker said that the puffer fish is a very dangerous species. Köşker emphasized that puffer fish is an invasive species in the Mediterranean and said, “Pufffish have spread throughout Greece, Spain, Italy and the entire Mediterranean. What makes puffer fish so popular is their tooth structure. But their most dangerous aspect is the poison they contain. Pufferfish contain a poison that is even stronger than morphine and cyanide, which are among the strongest poisons in the world. “Most of the puffer fish contain poison,” he said.
“ONLY LICENSED CHEFS IN RESTAURANTS CAN PREPARE THIS FISH IN JAPAN”
Stating that there are 200 different species of puffer fish and some species that do not live in our country are consumed in Japan, Köşker said, “In Japan, only licensed chefs in restaurants can prepare these species. This is allowed. Spotted puffer fish, which are also found on the coasts of our country, are prohibited from being consumed in Japan. Fish may contain high amounts of poison not only in their meat, but also in their liver, intestines and skin. “The amount of toxin may vary depending on the species of puffer fish,” he said.
“DON’T PLAY RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH YOUR LIFE”
Referring to the statements of some citizens on social media, ‘I clean and eat puffer fish well’, Köşker said, “Puffer fish are a reality of our seas. Unfortunately, we do not have the opportunity to throw them out of our seas. While oceanside citizens have learned to live with poisonous species such as puffer fish for thousands of years, we will also learn to live with these fish. It is very important to increase the awareness of the society. Puffer fish are poisonous, everyone should hear the warning: do not consume them. “Do not play ‘Russian roulette’ with your life by eating puffer fish,” he said. (UAV)