Cool lionfish news ... potential contest and lunch

[Ambassador Divers]

Here we go again!

Cayman Compass 10/13

A second lionfish roundup is scheduled to be held over Halloween weekend.

Divers and snorkelers who took part in the first roundup of the invasive fish last month captured and killed more than 500, and organisers hope the next one will be even more successful.

The captured lionfish will be cooked by chefs at the Sunshine Grill at Sunshine Suites. After the first roundup, the lionfish were served up as chowder, fritters, fillets and whole at Mezza restaurant.

Mike Dill, manager of the Sunshine Grill, which is well known for its fish tacos, said it was likely that lionfish tacos would be on the menu following the event.

“The Department of Environment are going to come and train my chefs how to clean and handle the fish,” he said, adding that he has not tried lionfish himself, but is looking forward to tasting it.

Lionfish spines are venomous and can cause severe pain, nausea and numbness if they puncture a person’s skin. The flesh of the fish is safe to eat.

“I think this next one is going to blow us away,” said Jason Washington of Ambassador Divers, one of the roundup organisers. “We had a lot of calls from people who missed out on the last one and are really anticipating taking part in this one.”

During the upcoming roundup, lionfish catchers who have been certified to cull the fish by the Department of Environment, will catch the lionfish in nets and with spears and take them to Sunshine Suites where their catch will be weighed in at 5pm on 30 October and 4pm on 31 October. On Monday, 1 November, a feast of lionfish dishes will be served up at the restaurant to the participants.

Mr. Washington said there had been a lot of interest in the upcoming roundup, not only from divers, but also from restaurants that want to take part. “We had calls from some high-end restaurants about the upcoming roundup, but we thought Sunshine Grill would be the perfect venue - it’s casual, it’s outside, people can just show up in their swimming shorts.”

Mr. Washington said there are also plans to set up a lionfish league.

To get more information or to sign up to take part in the lionfish roundup, email lionfishleague@gmail.com or contact Ambassador Divers on 916-1064.

 

[Ambassador Divers]

Lionfish II – Return of the Cullers
The first Lionfish Round-Up was such a great success that we are inviting you once again to join us in reducing the population of the invasive lionfish. We caught 507 fish over the last Round-Up weekend and we are confident that we can break that record.
Ambassador Divers Limited and Sunshine Grill have partnered, under the supervision of the Department of the Environment, to host the second round-up “Lionfish II - Return of the Cullers” on Saturday 30th – Sunday 31st October.
Come and catch as many lionfish as you can!
To help facilitate this event, please email lionfishleague@gmail.com with the details of your teams (include group members names and whether you will uses a spears or nets).
Registration: $5.00 CI per person @ Ambassador Diver’s Shop at Comfort Suites Hotel between 7.00 am – 10.00 am Saturday 30th October.
New Addition: Teams will catch lionfish to win prizes from the following categories: Nets and Licensed Spears.
Nets Licensed Spears
Most lionfish caught Most lionfish caught
Most overall gross weight Most overall gross weigh
Biggest fish Biggest fish

Please remember to keep all lionfish caught on ice

Weigh-ins: Sunshine Grill @ 5 pm Saturday 30th October and 4 pm on Sunday 31st October.
Judging: Sunshine Grill @ 5 pm Sunday 31st October.

Rules
• Teams MUST have at least 1 certified lionfish culler with proof of certification. For more information on certification, contact the Department of the Environment on : 949-8469 or email: doe@gov.ky
• Teams must have a minimum of 2 participants
• Team may have a maximum of 8 participants
• All participants MUST register at the start of the Round-Up. Do not catch any lionfish until you have registered with Ambassador Divers or else you will not be eligible to win any prizes
• Please use the official lionfish nets. They may be purchased from Ambassador Divers for 50 CI
• Only persons licensed by the Cayman Islands Government or CITA may use spears
• Only a certified lionfish culler should handle the lionfish

Please call Ambassador Divers on 916-1064 for more information.
Happy Hunting

 

[AggieDiver]

That is awesome! I really hope other places in the caribbean take notice of the popularity of these events and start doing the same. I love the idea of starting a league and having regular tournaments. I can't think of a better way to encourage divers to head to less populated reefs and de-lionfish them.

 

[Ambassador Divers]

Thanks again to everyone involved!

Cayman Compass



Cayman’s second lionfish tournament was held over the weekend, culminating in a feast of lionfish tacos.

More than 70 cullers signed up for the latest Lionfish Round Up and caught 187 of the invasive, venomous fish.

Jason Washington of Ambassador Divers, one of the organisers of the event, said the lionfish that was caught by divers and snorkelers were, in general, bigger than those captured at the first event, which was held in September.

“It seemed like the overall size of the catch was significantly larger than the last cull. In the last cull, we went to specific spots where we knew the lionfish were and we killed a lot of them. We didn’t see as many of the small fish during this cull,” he said.

Organisers were also heartened that the Department of Environment certified about 70 divers to catch and kill lionfish in the week prior to the tournament.

“The DoE sold out two of its culling classes in the week before the roundup,” said Mr. Washington.

He added that the efforts by divers to clear lionfish from certain dive sites seem to be working. “At a wreck off North Sound Estates, more than 100 lionfish were caught on the last cull. In this cull, we couldn’t find a single one at that wreck,” he said.

The catches were weighed in at Sunshine Suites, where chefs and staff specially trained to handle the fish by the Department of Environment, cooked up lionfish tacos for the cullers at the hotel’s restaurant, Sunshine Grill.

Mike Dill, manager at Sunshine Grill, said enough large lionfish were caught to make about 50 tacos. “You need big fish, otherwise by the time you trim off all the spines and fins, there isn’t a lot left,” he said.

John Ferguson and Katie O’Neill made the heaviest total catch of 16.8 pounds, while the Manila Killers snared 47 fish and won the title for the most fish caught.

There were joint winners in the biggest fish by length with Team Canada and Group3 both catching lionfish measuring 9.5 inches.

Photographer Cathy Church caught the smallest lionfish, which measured 2.8 inches.

Mr. Washington said he hoped the lionfish tournament could be held about six times a year and added that several restaurants throughout Cayman have expressed interest in hosting the event and cooking up the catch.

The first Lionfish Roundup was held in September, when more than 500 lionfish were caught. They were weighed and measured at Mezza Restaurant and then served to diners.

James Gibb of the Department of Environment said the turnout for the latest tournament was smaller than the first one because it was held during the school midterm break and many cullers who had attended the last event were off island.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Excellent idea.

 

[BuckBuck]

Fantastic event.
My wife and I have dove the past two summers in the EE, and couldn't believe the number of Lionfish we saw.
Great to hear that positive steps are being taken to get rid of these critters.
Hoping to enjoy a Lionfish taco at a local eatery next summer.

 

[dixiedan]

Great job guys..keep it up!

 

[Ambassador Divers]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone involved. We had a great turn out and killed many many Lionfish. By the way, Lionfish tacos rule! Spread the word!

New 27 came out a little late...but better late than never

Cayman 27 : Lionfish roundup