The highly toxic puffer fish should not be consumed or caught, the health authorities warned yesterday.
Although rare, there have been reports that the fish – also known as fugu, bok, blowfish, globefish, swellfish, balloonfish or sea squab – is being caught by fishing enthusiasts.
Not only is it illegal to sell it but it has potent and deadly toxins that can cause severe illness and death, even if frozen or cooked before consumption.
The health authorities pointed out that, although in eastern countries puffer fish was considered to be a delicacy, it could only be prepared by government-licensed cooks.