Lionfish in Cozumel

[Hemlon]

Let's vote on the dynamite. I vote yes.

 

[Mawg]

Let's vote on the dynamite. I vote yes.

I was thinking Cherry Bomb up the A$$ but dynamite is good too.

 

[geokr]

...personally, I'd use a Hawaiian sling with a tri-prog spearhead

Exactly.....Works great, doesn't travel far since it's attached to you and you don't have to touch the lionfish, just wipe them off. I was on two of REEFs surveys last year and one of the members used a sling extensively with great success and without putting anyone (but the lionfish) in danger. The sling is the way to go. Everyone ought to carry one - seriously.

Click me

 

[SeaSerpent]

Geokr - I can see that you are really gung-ho on attacking the lionfish - and I agree with you to a point.

But here in Cozumel, the Lionfish aren't rampant yet. If anyone did see one on a dive, you can bet that everyone in your group would want to stop and take a look - just like you would for a shark or eagle ray or turtle. So getting a DM's attention wouldn't be a bother to anyone. And the lionfish aren't actually going to run away...

If things change, and they do get seen much more often, maybe then they would encourage more divers to assisting in killing them. But for now, I think the Parque National has made a good decision.

 

[geokr]

Well SS, I hope you're right. But having seen what they're doing to the Bahamas I don't think so. It's too late to be "Gung Ho" in the Bahamas, Coz still has a chance.

 

[deborahdelamar]

So, are there any updates from Cozumel? Any more sightings? Has the team from REEF arrived? Anything further from the Marine Park?

So far, there's been educational and informative publicity in newspapers and on the radio with requests to report all Pez Leon sightings. The Marine Park is hosting a public meeting tomorrow night -- I'm going and, hopefully, my Spanish is good enough to understand the presentation & Q&A! Will let you know...

 

[scubawife]

So far, there's been educational and informative publicity in newspapers and on the radio with requests to report all Pez Leon sightings. The Marine Park is hosting a public meeting tomorrow night -- I'm going and, hopefully, my Spanish is good enough to understand the presentation & Q&A! Will let you know...

Thanks for the update Deb. There's been so many pages added to this thread that I hope the actual facts and updates don't get lost in all of it.

(Take someone with you to translate so you don't miss anything. )

 

[Hank49]

Exactly.....Works great, doesn't travel far since it's attached to you and you don't have to touch the lionfish, just wipe them off. I was on two of REEFs surveys last year and one of the members used a sling extensively with great success and without putting anyone (but the lionfish) in danger. The sling is the way to go. Everyone ought to carry one - seriously.

Click me

Nice shot. Stoned right through the mouth. Let's everyone start posting dead ones. Scubaboard can maybe sponsor a contest and the one in Cozumel or Belize who has the most confirmed kills gets a prize.
I'm free diving more than scuba diving now and I use a big gun with a double flopper head. It's going to be a little tricky getting them off that spear...but it's doable. Slide the fish all the way up the shaft, screw off the head and slide it back down and off. But one slip....ouch.
But I agree that it's not advisable for all vacation divers to attempt this. Just the dive master....going along and "pulling crab grass off the lawn" kind of thing. Done every day, by every divemaster should have an effect.

 

[MyPC8MyBrain]

Or did you forget the topic here, ie - how to save the reefs from those nasty tasty lionfish?

Edited your quote for better impact...

 

[Sue Sue]

So far, there's been educational and informative publicity in newspapers and on the radio with requests to report all Pez Leon sightings. The Marine Park is hosting a public meeting tomorrow night -- I'm going and, hopefully, my Spanish is good enough to understand the presentation & Q&A! Will let you know...

Excellent ! Thanks for this update. Looking forward to hearing the news.