Lionfish FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about Lionfish
There are a lot of questions about lionfish out there and we would like to bring them all here in one place. So if you can’t find the answers you are looking for feel free to let us know and we will add your questions to our list.
What is Lionfish Central?
Lionfish Central is an organization committed to the evaluation, education, and eradication of invasive lionfish from our reefs. Our growing database of lionfish information is designed as a comprehensive tool for those wishing to contribute to managing lionfish and natural resources in our waters. Lionfish Central works in collaboration with other organizations to prevent the further introduction of invasive lionfish. Our organization is dedicated to providing public education and awareness of lionfish, while supporting research efforts focusing on the biology, ecology, impact and control of the species.
We offer support to organizations and individuals developing tools for control, monitoring and management of lionfish. These efforts are critical to reducing population densities of lionfish in high priority areas, such as coral reefs. Our goal is to help more individuals develop a better understanding of the impacts of lionfish and to protect native species and habitats from the direct and indirect effects of the invasive species. We want to bring the successful efforts of these organizations into focus and share them with those having trouble succeeding. We encourage everyone to get involved and help in this global fight!
What are lionfish?
The lionfish is a carnivorous fish native to the Indo-Pacific that is now an invasive species in the U.S. Southeast and Caribbean coastal waters and other locations in the Atlantic. Lionfish have distinctive red, white, creamy or black bands covering both their head and body as well as fan-like pectoral fins and venomous spiky fin rays. Adult lionfish may grow as large as one foot, while young lionfish may be as small as 1 inch or less. This poisonous spiky fish is predatory, hunting small fish. However, the venom of a lionfish is capable of being fatal to larger creatures.
Are lionfish a problem?
The easy answer is Yes. The fact is they eat large numbers of reef fish and destroy marine ecosystems and that is a problem. Given the incredible numbers of their reproductions and appetite mixed with few or no predators that can keep them at bay – the reality is that they are here to stay – and yes that’s a problem.
Lionfish are an extremely serious problem because they are out-breeding, out-competing and out-living native fish stocks and other marine species. The consequences of the lionfish invasion threatens food security and economies affecting over one hundred million people. If left unchecked, lionfish will ultimately cause the destruction of the reefs, native fish stocks, and the livelihood of those dependent upon them.
How did lionfish become a problem?
It is believed that some aquarium owners had pet lionfish that outgrew their tanks or interest so they released them it into the wild. and as you can see with the speed of growth and reproductive numbers the population grew incredibly fast. The eggs can travel with the currents and land throughout the many reefs in the Atlantic ocean. When a fish threatens coral reefs and different marine ecosystems with their reproductive numbers, that makes them invasive.
Are lionfish dangerous to the oceans?
Basically yes. The lionfish can survive all kinds of conditions and breed extremely fast making them and threat to our ocean-life. Lionfish have been spotted 1,000 feet deep, in cold waters off New York and they can even move into freshwater. With the appetite they have and the speed in which they mature and reproduce – yes they are dangerous…
How often do lionfish reproduce?
It is believed that a mature lionfish can reproduce every 3 to 4 day! Yes that’s a quick. They can also lay upto about 30,000 eggs each time they reproduce! That works out to about 2,000,000 eggs per year!
The scary part is that the eggs do not go into the food chain because of their toxic coating around the eggs. This means that in good conditions 2,000,000 new lionfish will be added to our reefs each year from a single lionfish. With all the lionfish out there you have to think that 50% are females and they reach maturity within a year – that’s a lot of hungry lionfish populating our reefs!
Please help – only humans can stop this.
How do lionfish kill coral reefs?
Lionfish themselves don’t actually kill coral reefs, but they eat the fish help that maintain healthy reefs. Many different reef fish eat algae and prevent the corals from getting overgrown and dying. These reef fish help keep our reefs healthy and if they get eaten in large numbers then the reefs are in danger of getting overgrown in algae. Throw in warmer oceans, pollution, and other stresses on our reefs and you are left with a fragile ecosystem.
Are lionfish fast breeders?
Lionfish are potentially the fastest breeders in the Western Atlantic Basin. Lionfish can reproduce frequently, producing about 25,000 eggs per female every four days. In the Caribbean, a single female lionfish can spawn over 2 million eggs per year!
A lionfish can become capable of reproducing in their first year of life. In comparison, most fish native to the western Atlantic and Bermuda areas take 3 to 5 years before becoming capable of reproduction. Once becoming capable of reproduction, a lionfish breeds throughout the year. It is estimated that lionfish have been able to populate a million square miles of ocean in 10 years!
How Do Lionfish Reproduce?
What is Known About Lionfish Larvae?
How Long Do Lionfish Live?
How can I help save our reefs from lionfish?
What ocean do lionfish live in?
Are Lionfish Dangerous to Humans?
Can I Die From a Lionfish Sting?
How Do I Protect Myself Against a Lionfish Sting?
What are the Symptoms of a Lionfish Sting?
What Should I Do If I’m Stung By a Lionfish?
Where are the Lionfish’s Spines?
Are Lionfish Poisonous or Venomous?
Is Controlling Lionfish Populations Helping the Recovery of Native Fish?
Can You Set Traps Specifically for Lionfish?
What Efforts Are Being Made to Stop the Lionfish Invasion?
How Are Some Coastal Communities Tackling the Lionfish Problem?
Are lionfish a problem?
How did the lionfish become invasive?
Can a Lionfish kill a human?
What problems do lionfish cause?
How many lionfish are in the world?
What are Lionfish?
What Kind of Marine Habitat Do Lionfish Prefer?
Can Lionfish Survive in Freshwater?
What Do Lionfish Eat?
What Marine Life Eats Lionfish?
Can We Train Fish to Eat Lionfish?
Are Lionfish Safe to Eat?
Is Eating Lionfish Dangerous?
How Do Lionfish Affect Native Species of Marine Life?
How Do Lionfish Affect Coral Reefs?
How Do Lionfish Affect the Health of Other Fish?
How Do Lionfish Affect the Commercial Fishing Industry?
How Do Lionfish Affect Tourism?
What is an Invasive Species?
Are Lionfish an Invasive Species?
How Did Lionfish Get Into the Atlantic Ocean?
Where Are Lionfish Now?
Can We Stop the Lionfish Invasion?
How do lionfish reproduce?
Studies in the Pacific show that male lionfish start off the act of “courtship.” Male lionfish use their spines and fins in a visual display to both intimidate predators but also attract a mate. While this process may go on for days, a male lionfish eventually attracts a female to reproduce through a spawning dance. The male and female lionfish circle each other face to face while ascending slowly. Just before reaching the surface, the female lionfish will release two egg sacks. As these sacks continue to ascend, the male will turn upside down and release a cloud of sperm into the sacks.
Lionfish lay large egg sacks that are capable of producing thousands of baby lionfish. These egg sacks contain a noxious chemical that acts as a repellent. Many more lionfish eggs end up hatching as a result of the toxic sack, compared to the eggs of other fish laid directly in the water. The noxious chemical surrounding the lionfish egg prevents other fish from eating it.
What oceans do lionfish live in?
When talking about lionfish you can break it down into 2 areas – Native, or where they are naturally found and Non-Native where they are found but shouldn’t be there.
Lionfish are native to the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. They can be found from western Australia and Malaysia east to French Polynesia and the United Kingdom’s Pitcairn Islands, north to southern Japan and south Korea and south to Lord Howe Island off the east coast of Australia and the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand. Lionfish are also found throughout Micronesia.
Non-native lionfish have been reported along the southeastern United States coast from Florida to North Carolina. Juvenile lionfish have been collected in waters off Long Island, New York, and Bermuda. Lionfish are a popular marine ornamental fish and were possibly intentionally released into the Atlantic.
Are lionfish harmful to humans?
In some situations, lionfish can be dangerous to humans. However, lionfish are not aggressive and there is no documented evidence of a lionfish offensively attacking a human. Most often, lionfish stings occur to individuals who hunt and capture them. For instance, a sting may occur where a thrashing lionfish escapes a spear tip and blindly swims into the hunter while trying to escape. Although rare, some unsuspecting swimmers and bathers in shallow waters have accidentally kicked or stepped on a lionfish resulting in injury. In some situations, individuals get stung by lionfish when handling them after a hunt or preparing them to be cooked. Always treat a lionfish as if it is capable of stinging you until the spines are removed and disposed of properly.
What's being done to stop the lionfish invasion?
Divers, researchers and ocean advocates have teamed together in an effort to stop the lionfish invasion and save reefs and native marine life. Big names such as Guy Harvey and FWC have become lionfish awareness advocates, hosting contests and events such as “Lionfish Removal Day” where people compete to catch the most lionfish. Currently, the FWC does not have any restrictions on lionfish removal. In fact, the FWC has even gone so far as to raise the lobster bag limit during season for every 50 lionfish caught. Grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Publix are also joining the mission to help curb the growth of the lionfish population by carrying the fish in their stores.
Can the reefs recover if we remove the lionfish?
Scientists at Oregon State University, Simon Fraser University and other institutions have shown through the use of computer models and field testing that reducing lionfish populations by specified amounts at the studied areas – between 75-95 percent – allows for a rapid recovery of native fish. Additionally, the study determined that this may aid larger ecosystem recovery as well. The study found that on reefs where lionfish were kept below certain threshold densities, as opposed to complete removal, native fish increased by 50-70 percent. Where no intervention was made, native species continued to decline and disappear. These studies show that controlling lionfish populations in areas that are hot spots for juvenile fish, like mangroves and shallow reefs, is critical to the wellbeing of native fish.
Can you catch lionfish in a trap?
Scientists at Oregon State University, Simon Fraser University and other institutions have shown through the use of computer models and field testing that reducing lionfish populations by specified amounts at the studied areas – between 75-95 percent – allows for a rapid recovery of native fish. Additionally, the study determined that this may aid larger ecosystem recovery as well. The study found that on reefs where lionfish were kept below certain threshold densities, as opposed to complete removal, native fish increased by 50-70 percent. Where no intervention was made, native species continued to decline and disappear. These studies show that controlling lionfish populations in areas that are hot spots for juvenile fish, like mangroves and shallow reefs, is critical to the wellbeing of native fish.
Can You Set Traps Specifically for Lionfish?
What Efforts Are Being Made to Stop the Lionfish Invasion?
How Are Some Coastal Communities Tackling the Lionfish Problem?
Are lionfish a problem?
How did the lionfish become invasive?
Can a Lionfish kill a human?
What problems do lionfish cause?
How many lionfish are in the world?
What are Lionfish?
What Kind of Marine Habitat Do Lionfish Prefer?
Can Lionfish Survive in Freshwater?
What Do Lionfish Eat?
What Marine Life Eats Lionfish?
Can We Train Fish to Eat Lionfish?
Are Lionfish Safe to Eat?
Is Eating Lionfish Dangerous?
How Do Lionfish Affect Native Species of Marine Life?
How Do Lionfish Affect Coral Reefs?
How Do Lionfish Affect the Health of Other Fish?
How Do Lionfish Affect the Commercial Fishing Industry?
How Do Lionfish Affect Tourism?
What is an Invasive Species?
Are Lionfish an Invasive Species?
How Did Lionfish Get Into the Atlantic Ocean?
Where Are Lionfish Now?
Can We Stop the Lionfish Invasion?
How are communities handling the lionfish invasion?
As lionfish populations continue to grow, many communities are beginning to change laws to make exceptions for divers to hunt lionfish. In Aruba, for instance, many divers have actively sought to reduce the impact of lionfish on the native fish population. Individuals and dive schools throughout Aruba actively promote and participate in lionfish hunting, linking up via social media to compete in “lionfish derbies.” During these derbies, divers go around to different reefs and attempt to cull as many lionfish as possible. Some of these expeditions can engage as many as 20 divers and can eliminate more than 100 to 150 lionfish at a time.
What is known about lionfish larvae?
Lionfish eggs hatch into larvae in a very short time span, between approximately 24 to 36 hours! Lionfish larvae have a large head, a large triangular snout, long serrated head spines, and a large pelvic spine. Only the pelvic spine of the larvae is colored. Lionfish larvae are good swimmers and eat small ciliates and zooplankton just four days after conception. The larval duration of microscopic size larvae is approximately 25 to 30 days. In the larval stage, the larvae looks for hideouts along the seafloor. In approximately 3 more months, the larvae turns into a lionfish resembling its parents.
How can I help save our reefs from lionfish?
There are so many ways to help everyone and every organization out there trying to control the lionfish population. Here are just a few:
- Learn more about the dangers of invasive lionfish and spread the word – tell your family and friends, get involved and educate! Let us help you.
- Support the nonprofits trying to help control the lionfish. There are plenty out there and they could all use support.
- Start calling around to see if restaurans in your area serve lionfish. If they get enough calls they will look for it and add it to their menu. The greater the demand for lionfish the more divers will go out and collect them – thus reducing the population and saving our reefs!
- start a fundraiser and help us or other organizations keep up the good fight!
How long do lionfish live?
The typical red lionfish is thought to live for approximately 10 years. However, lionfish in captivity have survived for as long as 35 years. In waters where there are no natural predators, lionfish can probably survive much longer than 10 years. Most native fish in these waters have no evolutionary experience with lionfish, and potentially predatory fish do not recognize them as food or know how to approach them. Additionally, lionfish are susceptible to very few parasites compared to other fish, which allows them to spend maximum time hunting and eating. Considering their life expectancy and capability of breeding fast and young, it is no surprise that lionfish populations are reaching alarming numbers.
Can I die from a lionfish sting?
There have been no known fatalities documented from a lionfish sting. However, in certain circumstances, death could be possible depending on the individual. A more sensitive individual may be more impacted by the shock, the intensity of the shock, or complications caused by the sting. Individuals who are extremely allergic to different bug bites or stings could be at higher risk for death from a lionfish sting.
How can I protect myself from lionfish stings?
Individuals should take precaution to protect themselves against a lionfish sting. The difference between poison and venom is the method of delivery. Venom must be injected into the bloodstream to cause injury. Lionfish have sharp spines that deliver the venom. You need to be careful when handling the lionfish. So you don’t get pricked. Protective gloves, prongs and nets are used when capturing lionfish.
What are the symptoms of a lionfish sting?
Symptoms of a lionfish sting include an immediate onset of intense pain followed by swelling, redness and bruising in the area of the puncture wound. There are several secondary symptoms of a lionfish bite, including shortness of breath, anaphylaxis, dizziness, nauseousness, fainting, and temporary paralysis. Pain from a lionfish sting may last several hours and slowly subside after 24 hours. In certain cases, it may take several days for the symptoms to complete subside.
Typically, the severity and duration of the symptoms associated with a lionfish sting are related to the amount of venom delivered, how deep the spines punctured the body, as well as the individual’s sensitivity to the venom.
What should I do if I'm stung by a lionfish?
It is advisable to seek medical attention in the event of a lionfish sting. If the sting happens during a dive, end the dive as soon as possible and get to a safe place where you can receive assistance. Aid and treatment of lionfish stings include inspecting the puncture wound and removing any pieces of the spine that may have broken off and remain in the wound. Further, control bleeding and immediately apply the hottest tolerable water without scalding or burning the skin. Immersing the area in hot water is advisable. However, if this is not possible, apply a clean cloth soaked in hot water. Hot packs or a hair dryer may also provide relief to the affected area as well. Despite the amount of swelling that may occur, never apply ice or cold compresses until the pain has completely subsided. Cold will make the pain worse and prolong the amount of time dealing with pain symptoms. Over-the-counter pain medications are also helpful for reducing and managing the pain associated with a lionfish sting. Always make sure that the wound is thoroughly cleaned to protect against infection.
Most importantly, seek medical attention immediately if you suspect an extreme allergic reaction, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, decompression illness, fainting, or if the pain becomes intolerable. Likewise, seek immediate medical attention if the wound appears infected or if the injection site appears to be blackening, putrefying, or being eaten away (necrosis or tissue death).
How many dangerous spines does a lionfish have?
A typical lionfish has 18 venomous spines in total. In the dorsal fin, lionfish have 13 long spines. In the pelvic fins, the lionfish has 1 short spine in each fin. Likewise, the lionfish has 3 short spines in the leading edge of the anal fin.
Are lionfish poisonous or venomous?
Lionfish are venomous, not poisonous. Venomous means that venom must be injected into the body through their spines before the toxin has any effect. Lionfish have needle-sharp spines that are capable of delivering a potent, protein-based neuromuscular toxin. Just because they are not poison does not mean the sting won’t hurt – it will hurt very badly!
Are lionfish safe to eat?
Lionfish are safe and delicious to eat, and similar in taste to grouper or hogfish. Lionfish have a flaky white flesh that is mild and buttery in taste. Moreover, lionfish are a healthy fish containing a higher concentration of heart healthy Omega 3 fatty acids and lower concentrations of Omega 6 fatty acids. Nutritional studies found that, in comparison to other fish, lionfish are high in lean protein and contain lower levels of heavy metals such as mercury. Once the venomous spines of the lionfish are removed, they can be prepared like any other fish.
Is Eating Lionfish Dangerous?
How Do Lionfish Affect Native Species of Marine Life?
Invasive lionfish feed on native species that do not recognize lionfish as a predator. As a result, small fish do not flee from a hungry lionfish. In fact, small fish will often congregate around a lionfish believing they are seeking shelter in the lionfish’s long spines, fin rays, and feathery pectoral fins from other predators. However, when the lionfish becomes hungry, these small fish are herded into alcoves where they cannot escape. Lionfish are lightening fast and are capable of gulping down dozens of whole fish at a time. Studies have demonstrated that a single lionfish can reduce native marine creatures in its range by 80 to 90 percent within a 5 week span!
How Do Lionfish Affect Coral Reefs?
How Do Lionfish Affect the Health of Other Fish?
How Do Lionfish Affect the Commercial Fishing Industry?
How Do Lionfish Affect Tourism?
What is an Invasive Species?
Are Lionfish an Invasive Species?
How Did Lionfish Get Into the Atlantic Ocean?
Where Are Lionfish Now?
Can We Stop the Lionfish Invasion?
How do lionfish affect tourism?
How do lionfish affect other marine life on the reefs?
How do lionfish affect commercial fishing?
How do lionfish effect coral reefs?
Over 42 million people in the Western Atlantic Basin make their living through coral reefs, mainly through fishing and tourism. These same coral reefs also provide protection and shelter to entire schools of marine creatures. Moreover, some say that reefs and the algae that grows on them may provide as much as 80% of the world’s oxygen!
How do lionfish affect the native species of marine life?
Can a lionfish kill a human?
Lionfish can be harmful to humans but mostly they just cause a lot of pain if you were to get pricked by their venomous fins. However if you are allergic to different bug bites or stings like bees, wasps, etc. there is alway a chance that they could kill you.
What problems can lionfish cause?
Lionfish can cause serious damage to our coral reefs, mangroves, sea grasses and other important ecosystems. Lionfish have such a high rate of reproduction and can grow really fast if there is an abundance of small reef fish available. That causes a problem because they can destroy more than 50% of the reef fish in a short period of time – less than a couple of years. Less reef fish means the corals and sea grasses that depend of these reef fish to keep it healthy run the risk of dying off.
Less reef fish also means less larger fish in the area because they will have to go elsewhere to feed. So if you enjoy fishing on your favorite reef you might not be as lucky as time goes on.
How many lionfish are in the world?
It’s hard to say just how many lionfish are in the world. NOAA estimates that in some reefs there are over 1,000 lionfish present per acre. Do the math of their reproduction over their lifespan and the reproduction of their offspring over their lifetime and so on…. the numbers are incomprehensible! Let’s just say that unfortunately there will probably never be a shortage of lionfish….
What kind of habitat do lionfish prefer?
Lionfish can be found in almost all marine habitats, but prefer the warm waters of the tropics and depths from 1 to 300 feet. However, lionfish can survive in a number of habitats, including hard bottom, mangrove, sea grass, coral and artificial reefs (i.e., shipwrecks). Typically, lionfish thrive in coastal waters around rocky crevices and coral reefs where there are lots of smaller fish to eat and places to hide.
However, lionfish are extremely adaptable and capable of living at depths down to 1,000 feet! Lionfish may live in mangroves or brackish water, and can tolerate water temperatures down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, lionfish populations are now found as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as Brazil. Wintertime temperatures seem to be the only limiting factor of lionfish distribution. Science suggests that lionfish are not capable of surviving water temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can lionfish survive in freshwater?
While adaptable to a number of marine environments, lionfish cannot survive in freshwater. In Florida, however, lionfish can be found in brackish, estuarine environments over 4 miles inland away from the ocean. In these areas, the salinity is approximately only 6 parts per thousand compared to the ocean average of 33 parts per thousand!
What do lionfish eat?
Lionfish eat a wide variety of small fish and crustaceans that inhabit tropical reefs, mainly during dusk and dawn. Lionfish are non-selective feeders and eat mostly any type of fish that they can fit inside their mouth. This includes fish approximately half the length of their body. A lionfish catches its prey by hiding in rock or coral crevices and ambushing it as it swims past. The lionfish then corners its prey with its large fins before swallowing it whole.
The stomach of a lionfish can expand up to 30 times its size. In fact, some lionfish have been found with as many as 40 to 60 prey in their expanded stomachs. As a result, lionfish are capable of hoovering up about 80% of the marine creatures in its area in just 5 short weeks! When food is scarce, a lionfish can survive up to 3 months or longer without eating and will only lose approximately 10% of its body weight.
While not exhaustive, some of the fish that a lionfish will eat include: Grouper, Parrotfish, Snapper, Grunts, Sea Bass, Clownfish, Damselfish, Gobies, Basslets, Wrasse, Blennies, Filefish, Cardinalfish, Jawfish, Sand divers, Shrimps, Crabs, Lobsters, Worms, Seahorses, Octopuses to name a few. Pretty much anything they can fit in their mouths!
In addition to the marine life listed above, lionfish eat a number of important cleaner fish and shrimp responsible for keeping other reef fish clean and healthy. Lionfish also eat algae eaters that keep reefs free from algae build up. Algae build up prevents oxygen and sunlight from reaching coral, and could potentially kill it. Unfortunately, with no natural enemies in the tropical western Atlantic lionfish have invited themselves to an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet in these areas.
What marine life eats lionfish?
In their native habitat, lionfish have a number of natural predators that have caught and eaten them for millenia. The predators known to eat lionfish in their native habitat are sharks, eels, grouper, cornetfish, frogfish, and scorpionfish.
However, these same predators living in the Western Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea have not recognized the lionfish as food. In these areas, the lionfish is prey to few predators due to both their size and intimidating appearance. While there are a few reports of grouper eating healthy lionfish, the numbers are so low that they are having a minimal effect on controlling lionfish populations.
Can we train other fish to eat lionfish?
It is not likely that we can train other fish to eat lionfish. Some efforts have been made to train sharks and large grouper to eat lionfish with little success. In one experiment, researchers placed small lionfish in a tank of several hungry grouper. Many larger predators cowered away from the more aggressive lionfish and avoided them almost to the point of starvation until the researchers intervened. Unlike mammals, fish do not teach their offspring to hunt and there is no transfer of knowledge from one generation of fish to the next. Accordingly, each new generation of potential lionfish predators would have to be trained to eat lionfish.
Another risk associated with ad hoc training by inexperienced handlers is that trainers (usually divemasters and instructors) teach potentially dangerous predators to equate lionfish hunters with food. As a result, these animals become aggressive and may cause serious injuries to these trainers.
Is eating lionfish dangerous?
What is an invasive species?
Are lionfish an invasive species?
How did lionfish get into the Atlantic Ocean?
Where are lionfish now?
Can we ever stop lionfish from spreading?
Most scientists agree that it is unlikely that we can reverse the lionfish invasion of U.S. waters. Any large-scale attempt to remove lionfish would be too costly and impractical because of the range and depths that this species now occupies. However, scientists do believe that we can control the spread of lionfish in certain areas. Nevertheless, scientists predict that lionfish will continue to increase in abundance if not controlled.
What Can You Do to Help Stop the Lionfish Invasion?
There are a number of ways that you can help stop the lionfish invasion. Here are a few examples of how you can help:
Learn more about the lionfish and help spread the word
Support nonprofits trying to help control lionfish
Participate in lionfish tournaments
You can show your support of nonprofits and their efforts to help control the lionfish population in a number of ways. Consider donating your time to an organization that promotes public education and awareness of the lionfish problem. Targeting dive industries, medical and health industries, educational institutions and the media and providing them with outreach materials like posters and stickers is just one of many ways you can contribute. Likewise, your financial support of these organizations can provide adequate training and appropriate gear to fisherman and sport divers, and raise additional awareness. There is no donation that is too small to help the efforts of organizations committed to the elimination of invasive lionfish populations.
A lionfish derby is a single day competition to collect and remove as many lionfish as possible. Teams collect lionfish by netting or spearing lionfish while SCUBA diving, free diving, or snorkeling. Teams begin competing at sunrise and bring their catch to the scoring station by 5:00 p.m. Each fish is measured and prizes are awarded to teams for catching the most, biggest, and smallest lionfish. Research studies show that lionfish derbies are highly effective in lowering the lionfish populations of certain areas. Over the past ten years, the lionfish derbies hosted by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation was responsible for the removal of 24,522 lionfish. Moreover, these derbies promote research, education of the safe handling of lionfish, as well as offer the opportunity for the public to try free tastings of lionfish. If you live in a coastal area, research whether lionfish derbies are held nearby. If none exist in your area, consider researching and hosting your own lionfish derby!
Encourage local restaurants to serve lionfish
A lionfish derby is a single day competition to collect and remove as many lionfish as possible. Teams collect lionfish by netting or spearing lionfish while SCUBA diving, free diving, or snorkeling. Teams begin competing at sunrise and bring their catch to the scoring station by 5:00 p.m. Each fish is measured and prizes are awarded to teams for catching the most, biggest, and smallest lionfish. Research studies show that lionfish derbies are highly effective in lowering the lionfish populations of certain areas. Over the past ten years, the lionfish derbies hosted by the Reef Environmental Education Foundation was responsible for the removal of 24,522 lionfish. Moreover, these derbies promote research, education of the safe handling of lionfish, as well as offer the opportunity for the public to try free tastings of lionfish. If you live in a coastal area, research whether lionfish derbies are held nearby. If none exist in your area, consider researching and hosting your own lionfish derby!
Encourage the consumption of lionfish in local restaurants by calling establishments in your area to see if they have lionfish on their menu. Chefs throughout the country are finding ways to incorporate the invasive species into their seafood recipes. Local restaurants could benefit from promoting the ecological benefits of eating lionfish with their patrons. The greater the demand for lionfish the more divers will go out and collect them, thus reducing the population and saving our reefs!