jd950
Contributor
- Messages
- 1,303
- Reaction score
- 289
- # of dives
- I just don't log dives
But only lion fish!
Lionfish discussions are all over the internet these days, but the bottom line is that in the Caribbean they appear to have only two predators, (1) possibly the Nassau grouper which is endangered and overfished, and (2) humans.
Many Caribbean nations and dive destinations, including the Caymans, Bonaire, Curacao, Cozumel and Belize have complete bans or significant restrictions on spearfishing, or taking any fish while on scuba, etc., etc. Lionfish are not easily caught in traps or by line.
Recently Belize stated it would waive the spearfishing ban for lionfish, and the Bahamas is actively encouraging the activity.
So, has there been any thought or discussion of allowing spearfishing of lionfish for Curacao (I won't ask about Bonaire, because I can't imagine they would permit it there at least until after lionfish are the only species in the water there)?
Do you think this is a good idea?
I have never spearfished, but as I see it, we need to do everything we can to prey on these fish and make them a viable food source, and I am thinking it is worth learning to spearfish and doing some diving specifically to "hunt" the little pests. I think it might be fun.
If I can't spear the little buggers around Curacao, could I net them? From a kill and eat perspective that seems awkward, since I would need to kill them after netting them.
I know they aren't that prevalent yet and I realize "hunting" them around Curacao at this time would be pointless, but the time is going to come.
Just to put this in perspective, here are some quotes that have inspired me:
"According to scientists from Oregon State University, they can cause the loss of herbivorous fish, which sets the stage for seaweed to potentially overwhelm the reefs and disrupt the delicate ecological balance in which they exist. Several dive and snorkel sites in the Bahamas have been closed over the years because of this phenomenon - in essence wiping out its natural attractions."
"A study has found that the Lionfishs appetite is so big that one fish can reduce a juvenile fish population by 79 percent in five weeks."
"Lionfish are capable of reproducing every 55 days and during all seasons of the year."
"They have multiplied at a rate that is almost unheard of in marine history, going from nonexistent to pervasive in just a few short years. Along the way, they've eaten or starved out local fish, disrupted commercial fishing, and threatened the tourism industry. Some experts believe that lionfish are so widespread that their effect on the ecosystems of the Western Atlantic will be almost impossible to reverse."
"They don't move much, tending to remain in the same spot. The only reasons they seem to move is to find protection or food. Once those are found, they stay there until the food is gone.
They feed upon fish cleaners like juvenile bluehead wrasse.
They are found in most or all habitats. We have found them in shallow & deep reefs, shallow & deep ledges, blue holes, mangroves, near docks, wrecks and off beaches.
They appear to breed 12 months a year, while many of their prey breed only a few monhths of the year.
Lionfish are growing much faster and getting much bigger than they do in their native Pacific waters.
Juvenile fish don't recognize them as predators and in fact tend to hide around them. This is probably because they look similar to clumps of algae or anemones that they normally hide around."
So, any thoughts?
Lionfish discussions are all over the internet these days, but the bottom line is that in the Caribbean they appear to have only two predators, (1) possibly the Nassau grouper which is endangered and overfished, and (2) humans.
Many Caribbean nations and dive destinations, including the Caymans, Bonaire, Curacao, Cozumel and Belize have complete bans or significant restrictions on spearfishing, or taking any fish while on scuba, etc., etc. Lionfish are not easily caught in traps or by line.
Recently Belize stated it would waive the spearfishing ban for lionfish, and the Bahamas is actively encouraging the activity.
So, has there been any thought or discussion of allowing spearfishing of lionfish for Curacao (I won't ask about Bonaire, because I can't imagine they would permit it there at least until after lionfish are the only species in the water there)?
Do you think this is a good idea?
I have never spearfished, but as I see it, we need to do everything we can to prey on these fish and make them a viable food source, and I am thinking it is worth learning to spearfish and doing some diving specifically to "hunt" the little pests. I think it might be fun.
If I can't spear the little buggers around Curacao, could I net them? From a kill and eat perspective that seems awkward, since I would need to kill them after netting them.
I know they aren't that prevalent yet and I realize "hunting" them around Curacao at this time would be pointless, but the time is going to come.
Just to put this in perspective, here are some quotes that have inspired me:
"According to scientists from Oregon State University, they can cause the loss of herbivorous fish, which sets the stage for seaweed to potentially overwhelm the reefs and disrupt the delicate ecological balance in which they exist. Several dive and snorkel sites in the Bahamas have been closed over the years because of this phenomenon - in essence wiping out its natural attractions."
"A study has found that the Lionfishs appetite is so big that one fish can reduce a juvenile fish population by 79 percent in five weeks."
"Lionfish are capable of reproducing every 55 days and during all seasons of the year."
"They have multiplied at a rate that is almost unheard of in marine history, going from nonexistent to pervasive in just a few short years. Along the way, they've eaten or starved out local fish, disrupted commercial fishing, and threatened the tourism industry. Some experts believe that lionfish are so widespread that their effect on the ecosystems of the Western Atlantic will be almost impossible to reverse."
"They don't move much, tending to remain in the same spot. The only reasons they seem to move is to find protection or food. Once those are found, they stay there until the food is gone.
They feed upon fish cleaners like juvenile bluehead wrasse.
They are found in most or all habitats. We have found them in shallow & deep reefs, shallow & deep ledges, blue holes, mangroves, near docks, wrecks and off beaches.
They appear to breed 12 months a year, while many of their prey breed only a few monhths of the year.
Lionfish are growing much faster and getting much bigger than they do in their native Pacific waters.
Juvenile fish don't recognize them as predators and in fact tend to hide around them. This is probably because they look similar to clumps of algae or anemones that they normally hide around."
So, any thoughts?
