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Shore Lunch, Lemon, and Tartar Sauce: Combating Invasive
Lionfish One Dish at a Time
By Aaron Remer
Advisors: Dr. Jean Lavigne and Dr. Troy Knight
Methods of Removal:
Abstract: During the mid-1980’s Pterois volitans and Pterois miles
Negative:
- Reduced biodiversity
- Reduction of ecologically important species (ex. Parrot fish)
that manage reefs and sea grasses
- Potential habitat degradation of coral reefs
- Loss of important sport and commercial fish (grouper and
snapper)
- Tourism could potentially lose attractiveness due to damaged/
altered dive locations
- Health risk from envenomation
Positive:
- New food source
- Potentially attractive sport fish
- Possibility of creating a lionfish market
http://underwaterphantaseas.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/lionfish-hunt.jpg
The Invasion:
Netting
http://insights.wri.org/news/2011/08/lionfish-invasion-threatens-coral-reefs-atlantic-and-caribbean
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRai-gxPMBE/TbB9X-5PkrI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/IrDr7HOkuSg/s1600/Goliath%2BGulch_04.13.11_47_AC%2Bnetting%2Blion.JPG
Lionfish Impacts:
their invasive range as well as reduce human consumption of other native species that have been
depleted. Lionfish could potentially be a new popular food source in the Caribbean. Currently
there is only one organization that commercially sells lionfish. Known as Traditional Fisheries,
they have developed a relationship with co-ops in Mexico and Dominican Republic to provide the
highest quality of seafood.
Spearfishing
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=111546&d=1325126428
also known as Lionfish were introduced into the Atlantic Ocean off the
coast of Florida. Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific, and are an
attractive aquarium fish. Their introduction into the Atlantic is thought to
have been from accidental or intentional releases from aquariums. Since
their introduction, lionfish have spread along the Atlantic Coast and
throughout the Caribbean; dominating the waters around the Bahamian
Archipelago. Lionfish pose a significant threat to Caribbean and Atlantic
ecosystems due to their voracious appetite, rapid breeding, diverse
habitats and ranges, as well as a lack of native predators. It is important
that invasive lionfish are managed through a combination of localized
removal efforts, education, and by promoting the growth of native
grouper species. Also, the development of a lionfish market may be a
necessary course of action to reduce the effects that lionfish have on
native ecosystems. Research has found that harvesting lionfish in
localized regions by dive groups of 4-5 divers can significantly reduce
the number of lionfish after only a few rounds of harvesting. Also, in
areas such as the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park where native grouper
populations are high, lionfish populations are extremely low compared
to other areas. While localized harvesting and grouper can present
possible solutions to help mitigate the lionfish impact, lionfish will
persist in their invasive range and hopefully these efforts can reduce the
damage done to important ecosystems.
Lionfish Market: Creating a lionfish market may create incentives to remove lionfish from
Biological
Control
- Grouper
Conclusion: Lionfish will persist in their new home; however, there are a few ways that we
can reduce the impact they have on native ecosystems. Lionfish populations on specific location
can be greatly reduced with volunteer diving groups, and should be used to protect important
ecosystems such as coral reefs and mangroves. There is also the possibility that, with time, native predators such as grouper will recognize lionfish as prey and help reduce their population.
The main hope is that lionfish become a staple food source that develops into commercial consumption of these fish. While this may eventually involve special management of lionfish, it
may reduce the impact they have on ecosystems. Also, with the advent of a specialized trap, a lionfish market will becomes more feasible. The ultimate goal is that humans realize that transporting species can have consequences beyond simply dumping a fish into the ocean.
Background photo: http://www.fieldstudies.org/assets/heros/news_images/00002932-article_tci_lionfish_wanted_3.jpg