Lionfish Hunters

[imoto]

I just came back from a week on the Maya Riviera around Puerto Adventuras. Only did six dives last week, but must have seen at least 4 lionfish on every dive. On one dive there were three under a single overhang.

 

[mcohen1021]

Good eating... I'm curious to know the correlation between killing them off and the lionfish moving to waters too deep for recreational divers. We hardly see any in Cozumel anymore.

 

[Jayfarmlaw]

Just got back and in 12 dives, we saw maybe 3 lionfish. One was huge...like Moby friggin dick huge, one was small, and one average sized one was on a swim through upside down on the ceiling. I thought he was dead or had a swim bladder problem until I got close and he just moved away. Never seen that before.....

On a positive note, La Perlita had LF on hand so we had both the LF ceviche (with mango) and coconut crusted....along with lobster. Love that place. Last April, they were out both nights we tried.


Jay

 

[northernone]

Good eating... I'm curious to know the correlation between killing them off and the lionfish moving to waters too deep for recreational divers. We hardly see any in Cozumel anymore.

From last winter the big boys are hanging out in the crevices 200-330 ft range. Only 2-6 per dive. Unfortunately, I don't carry a spear. I'd like to 'tag' a few to make sure it's individual fish and not the same dozen moving around.

Saw 11 juvenile lion fish last week on a 3hr shallow dive.

Overall Cozumel has done a spectacular job compared to the couple dozen other Caribbean dive areas which are infested.

Mainland around Puerto Adventures I've only free dive but did see more in contrast considering the small area covered each dive.

Regards,
Cameron

 

[mcohen1021]

Overall Cozumel has done a spectacular job compared to the couple dozen other Caribbean dive areas which are infested.

Agree - overall - I have not seen alot in cozumel, but there's plenty on the less dived north end - barracuda wall and san juan