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LIONFISH POPULATION CONTROL
Whether we like it or not, we are in the
midst of what may be the worst biological
disaster ever to face the western Atlantic,
Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. The lion-
fish invasion has been highlighted as one
of the top-15 emerging threats to global
biodiversity, discussed at length in inter-
national scientific conferences, featured
in countless high-profile media pieces and
become the bane of commercial fisher-
men in the region. Researchers predict
dire consequences if the invasion contin-
ues unabated, but what can be done?
As divers encounter lionfish face to
face, we have the rare combination of
opportunity and responsibility to address
the invasion firsthand. Throughout the
region, programs are being implemented
to organize and encourage lionfish remov-
al through regular dive outings, monthly
contests and single-day derby events. The
good news is these efforts appear to be
having significant success in minimiz-
ing lionfish populations at these targeted
sites. The bad news: Due to scuba depth
limitations and the scarcity and cost of
human resources, divers can’t possibly
cover the entirety of lionfish habitat in the
region. Lionfish are being found in every
marine habitat from inches-deep man-
grove shorelines down to more than 1,000
feet (observed from a submersible) and
in a range from North Carolina to South
America and west to Central America and
the Gulf of Mexico. This vast seascape is
just too large for humans to cover.
Enter fish feeding. In many locations
throughout the region, well-meaning divers
and dive professionals are not only collect-
ing lionfish using spears and nets, but some
are now offering up their catch to marine
predators. The hope is that after tasting
lionfish these predators will turn to con-
At present, diver removal of
lionfish is the only method
of population control to
prove successful outside
the lionfishes’ native range.
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