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.