Benghazi – The Libyan Marine Biology Society has revealed the first recorded appearance of an unusual fish known as the “bannerfish” on the Libyan coast, considering it a clear indicator of the accelerating environmental changes in the Mediterranean Sea and their impact on local marine biodiversity.
The society explained that the fish was discovered by chance during a fishing competition organized by the Benghazi Scout Commission, noting that this appearance raises questions about the impact of invasive species on marine ecosystems in Libya, especially with rising water temperatures that may contribute to an increase in these migrations.
In its report, the society stated that the bannerfish, which was endemic to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, belongs to the butterflyfish family. It is characterized by its laterally compressed body, its silvery-white color with two black stripes, and a long dorsal fin resembling a banner. It reaches a length of about 20 centimeters and feeds on small invertebrates and zooplankton without harming live coral reefs.
The report confirmed that the fish entered the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal and was first recorded off the coast of Lebanon in 2012. It then appeared in Turkey, Palestine, Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt in the following years, before being recently spotted in Libya, indicating the expansion of its distribution in the eastern Mediterranean in just one decade.
The report indicated that the fish’s impact is more environmental than economic, as it may compete with local species for food and affect food webs, but it is not considered a commercial species or a threat to fish stocks.
The society concluded by clarifying that the appearance of this fish on the Libyan coast confirms the acceleration of biological exchange through the Suez Canal, driven by climate change and rising Mediterranean Sea temperatures. This makes monitoring these phenomena a priority for preserving the balance of the marine environment in the region.