Taming Lionfish

Todays News

Nearly 500 lionfish were successfully caught at Mote Marine Laboratory’s second annual Lionfish Derby. The event was an effort to control the borderline uncontrollable: invasive, fast-producing and venomous lionfish.

These non-native creatures are out-breeding and out-competing many native fish populations along the eastern Atlantic coast, consuming over 70 different species at detrimental rates and reducing some populations by up to 90 percent in areas where they are heavily concentrated. However, through the help of eight teams of snorkelers and divers, the two-day derby made an effort to combat dangerous predation.

Of the lionfish caught and killed during the derby, a majority was given to Mote Marine Laboratory scientists and graduate students involved in the Rigs-to-Reefs Lionfish Ecosystem Modeling Workshop through the University of Florida who are conducting valuable research on the species. Many of the largest fish caught in the derby were also used in the preparation of fresh ceviche prepared by staff from Reef Environmental Education Foundation and ZooKeeper who were available to anyone who attended the final celebration on Sunday. The few remaining fish were given to any attendees who wanted to take the fish home and prepare their own dishes, as lionfish have a reputation of being delicious entrees.

From mathematical modeling and examination of the contents of the lionfish’s stomachs, Director Lad Atkins and his team at REEF have found that had the lionfish not been removed from local waters, roughly 1 million to 4.6 million prey would have been consumed in 12 months. Although this project didn’t completely eradicate the species, it was definitely a start, according to Atkins. “Efforts like this, taking lionfish out of the water, have a huge impact,” said Akins. “We know the lionfish will recolonize, but every lionfish that comes out of the water means less pressure on our native species.”

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