A 41-year-old surfer from Rishon Lezion was hospitalized in stable condition over the weekend after being stung by a venomous lionfish while surfing off Palmachim Beach, officials said.
The invasive species — known for its long, venomous spines and striking reddish-brown stripes — migrated from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, said Omri Omessi, a marine ranger with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA). “The bad news: the fish is here to stay,” he told Ynet studio. “The good news: stings are rare and pose serious danger only to those allergic to the venom.”
Lionfish, part of the scorpionfish family, grow up to 38 centimeters (15 inches) and live in rocky coastal waters from shallow depths to about 80 meters. In Israel, they are found along the entire Mediterranean and Red Sea coastlines, from Achziv to Eilat. A top predator in marine ecosystems, lionfish feed on any animal small enough to fit in their mouths and have few natural predators.
Omessi said lionfish are common in their native Red Sea habitat near Eilat, but have spread widely across the Mediterranean and other parts of the world. Despite their abundance, sting incidents are rare. “The number of people we hear about being stung is very, very small compared to how common they are,” he said.
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The surfer who was stung suffered an allergic reaction, which Omessi said caused most of the medical issues in this case. “In many cases, people don’t even go to the hospital. It’s painful, but for most, it passes on its own,” he said.
Omessi urged the public to avoid touching marine wildlife. “Many marine animals have defenses. Some could be harmed by us, and some could harm us,” he said.
The INPA has tried for years to limit the lionfish’s impact, especially in marine reserves. Targeted removals in sensitive areas have helped reduce numbers and ecological damage, the agency said. Lionfish carry 13 venomous spines on their dorsal fin, one on each pelvic fin and three on the anal fin. They are venomous but not poisonous, meaning they should never be handled.