Stewardship Tip Oct 5th, 2010- Lionfish Hunting
Lionfish are voracious predators. An invasive species in the US and the Caribbean, they compete for the same food as snapper and grouper. They also eat parrotfish, a fish that benefits our reefs by eating algae. Lionfish have few natural predators and are one of the most venomous fish in the sea.
Between 2004 and 2008, local lionfish densities in North Carolina have increased by over 700%. The lionfish had never been seen in the Bahamas before 2004, now they are prevalent around the main island and in the waterways.
The “most likely vector” for the introduction of lionfish, according to James Morris Jr., an ecologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, was probably someone in the aquarium trade, releasing the fish and possibly eggs, into the wild.
Here are several things that we can do to help control, and possibly eliminate, invasive lionfish.
Eat lionfish: They are delicious. There is no need to worry, the venom resides entirely in the spines and is not found in the meat.
Support a lionfish derby or tournament: Participate or help eat the bounty.
Hunt for lionfish: According to lionfishhunter.com, “all that you need to catch a Lionfish is snorkeling gear, gloves and a spear.” When you handle venomous fish, you should take precautions, lionfishhunter.com highlights many of those. Going out with an experienced guide would certainly be a good way to get started and would be allow you to become familiar with the procedures for handling (actually it is a case of not handling) lionfish.
Finally, the success of the lionfish in our local waters serves as a reminder, don’t release any aquarium plants, animals, or fish into the wild.
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