Costa Maya and the Lion Fish invasion
The first Lion fish on the Costa Maya was spotted about a year ago. Since then the sightings have become more frequent. Although the residents of the Costa Maya have been trying to get rid of them, there is a lot of territory to cover and not enough divers. In other areas of the Mexican Caribbean local dive shops have organized special events to try to do some sort of control if the dive shop you dive with does not openly support killing of lion fish during a dive, talk to them to see what they can do to organize something.
If you dont know what a lionfish is, you wont find a picture of it in Caribbean fish ID books because they are not native here. Most people see the Lion fish as a precious looking fish which is regal and exotic. However, its spines are toxic (although not poisonous) and it has no known predator which would allow mother-nature to control it naturally in these waters. Each Lionfish can produce 30, 000.00 eggs every spawning cycle, with several cycles per year. Juvenile lion fish are now along the Costa Maya shores and most divers and snorkelers are starting to see small ones along the shore in increasing numbers!
Thats where we divers and snorkelers come in. Man is the only predator which can get rid of the infestation. If you spot one, what should you do? First, never use your hands, while not poisonous, their spines can be very painful if touches or the skin pierced.
When snorkeling or walking along the shore: They float on the surface of the water, which makes it easy to drop a net over it, scoop it up with a bucket or colander. Once on shore, Ice water will humanely kill it immediately.
When diving: Kill with a spear gun (this is legal) or a mash bag lion fish only!
We have a very limited number of people and dive centers which have committed to help and remove the lion fish from these waters. You can help. I urge divers traveling to the Costa Maya to make this issue a concern. Talk to the dive shop owners and let them know that you support lionfish removal during your dive. Don't dive with companies that dont support it.
This article is from Julie at Blue Ocean Safari who invites everyone to dive the Lionfish safari in Costa Maya. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help protect our reef and the fish in it.
The first Lion fish on the Costa Maya was spotted about a year ago. Since then the sightings have become more frequent. Although the residents of the Costa Maya have been trying to get rid of them, there is a lot of territory to cover and not enough divers. In other areas of the Mexican Caribbean local dive shops have organized special events to try to do some sort of control if the dive shop you dive with does not openly support killing of lion fish during a dive, talk to them to see what they can do to organize something.
If you dont know what a lionfish is, you wont find a picture of it in Caribbean fish ID books because they are not native here. Most people see the Lion fish as a precious looking fish which is regal and exotic. However, its spines are toxic (although not poisonous) and it has no known predator which would allow mother-nature to control it naturally in these waters. Each Lionfish can produce 30, 000.00 eggs every spawning cycle, with several cycles per year. Juvenile lion fish are now along the Costa Maya shores and most divers and snorkelers are starting to see small ones along the shore in increasing numbers!
Thats where we divers and snorkelers come in. Man is the only predator which can get rid of the infestation. If you spot one, what should you do? First, never use your hands, while not poisonous, their spines can be very painful if touches or the skin pierced.
When snorkeling or walking along the shore: They float on the surface of the water, which makes it easy to drop a net over it, scoop it up with a bucket or colander. Once on shore, Ice water will humanely kill it immediately.
When diving: Kill with a spear gun (this is legal) or a mash bag lion fish only!
We have a very limited number of people and dive centers which have committed to help and remove the lion fish from these waters. You can help. I urge divers traveling to the Costa Maya to make this issue a concern. Talk to the dive shop owners and let them know that you support lionfish removal during your dive. Don't dive with companies that dont support it.
This article is from Julie at Blue Ocean Safari who invites everyone to dive the Lionfish safari in Costa Maya. Experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help protect our reef and the fish in it.
