Israel's Nature and Parks Authority has urged residents and tourists not to approach pufferfish, which are being found more and more often on the country's Mediterranean beaches, The Times of Israel reports.

The fish in question is known in Hebrew and Arabic as Abu Nafha. It has poisonous spines, contact with which can cause severe pain. In addition, eating this fish can lead to fatal poisoning.

According to the authority, the pufferfish is an invasive species that entered Israeli waters through the Suez Canal.

The Nature and Parks Authority also appealed to fishermen not to leave accidentally caught pufferfish on the shore.

"Both adults and children should know that fish found on the sand must not be touched," said Rotem Sade, head of the marine district of the Northern Region at Israel's Nature and Parks Authority.