lionfish in Cozumel

[robint]

just a little raw footage of what the babies look like...
taken at the Scuba Club Cozumel shore dive area


lionfish were delivered to dive shop alive, for them to take back out on reefs and fed to grouper or eels or other predatory fish, in hopes that they will start hunting them on their own once they realize that lionfish are a food source.


robin

 

[mike_s]

lionfish were delivered to dive shop alive, for them to take back out on reefs and fed to grouper or eels or other predatory fish, in hopes that they will start hunting them on their own once they realize that lionfish are a food source.

so what do they do in the feeding?

let them go alive "near" an eel or grouper?

or dead?

or "on a line" ?

 

[jlyle]

Resistance is futile!

 

[robint]

they are killing them first, then putting them in front of the fish. We watched an eel sniff the dead lionfish, then he took a nibble, he must have liked it as then he chomped down and swallowed every morsel. The DM also fed part of the lionfish to a grouper but I didn't witness it.
This is the new Marine Park policy, as told to us at Scuba Club Cozumel last week. They believe that the Caribbean fish don't realize these guys are part of the food chain, edible, and quite yummy. So once they get a taste, they will start hunting them on their own.

So, no Jim, there is no way to erradicate them.... they are in the Caribbean to stay. But we DO need to control them. Getting predators to eat the young lionfish is the key, just like in the Pacific where sharks and all large predators eat them. Since lionfish adults lay eggs every 4 days, it is essential that they be kept in check. The policy previously was to kill the lionfish and throw them in trash.... this new policy is MUCH better, and at least an attempt to help the problem.

robin

 

[mike_s]

too bad they can't carry knives there and kill the Lionfish on the spot instead of trying to "catch it alive" to kill it later.

I mean why carry it around in a pitcher unless they just wanna show it off at the Dive Op?



kill the little bastard there and feed him to the fishes right then and there.....

 

[robint]

too bad they can't carry knives there and kill the Lionfish on the spot instead of trying to "catch it alive" to kill it later.

I mean why carry it around in a pitcher unless they just wanna show it off at the Dive Op?



kill the little bastard there and feed him to the fishes right then and there.....

we aren't authorized to kill fish, that is why none of the guests killed them. The dive shop is authorized, by the Marine Park, to kill them. The last thing I want to see is vacationers down there killing fish, it isn't their job. Most divers don't even know what the lionfish look like, they could be killing scorpionfish or some other fish they mistaken for a lionfish. It is the DMs job to kill them, not us.

As far as the guys with the pitcher, the Dive shop told us where the lionfish were spotted (3 babies seen near the end of pier, 1 baby seen at a particular rubble pile) and asked if we could catch it. They offered a big net, which seemed pretty silly. The pitcher was the best way to catch it without coming close to barbs on its back. They swam over to show me they caught one, as they knew we were also looking for them.

robin

 

[Sue Sue]

too bad they can't carry knives there and kill the Lionfish on the spot instead of trying to "catch it alive" to kill it later.

I mean why carry it around in a pitcher unless they just wanna show it off at the Dive Op?



kill the little bastard there and feed him to the fishes right then and there.....

What we don't need are recreational divers with knives attempting to kill lionfish. The same applies to spears as well. Leave it up to the Divemasters who are not only authorized but who are experienced in how to handle this situation and ultimately can be held accountable for their actions. If something should go wrong with a recreational diver while lionfish hunting or killing, ie: stung, injuring themselves or another diver, who will be blamed?? I can't imagine that Dive OP's would want to assume that responsibility.

Also, I know it is important, no, VERY important that the lionfish situation needs to get under control, however, as I understand that the Divemasters are now looking, capturing and killing lionfish, I do not want my Divemaster to also have to be monitoring divers in my group while they do the same. I am willing to call attention to a lionfish that I happen to spot to my divemaster, and in turn, expect he/she to take care of what he/she needs to do if possible, however, I am paying for a recreational dive, not a lionfish hunt. In other words, I put full faith in my Divermasters ability to provide excellent professional service and diving while at the same time addressing his/her responsibilities regarding lionfish, I however do not feel that fellow divers in my group should be included.

Sue

 

[geokr]

lionfish were delivered to dive shop alive, for them to take back out on reefs and fed to grouper or eels or other predatory fish, in hopes that they will start hunting them on their own once they realize that lionfish are a food source.

I don't think this is a real good idea. First, fish aren't "trainable". We're not dealing with Flipper or Shamu here. If they were trainable then Sea World would have a school of groupers flying through flaming hoops in formation (now that's a vision). I don't think so. Second, I doubt if any animal is immune to the venom and would go through agonizing pain trying to digest and pass those barbs. Don't believe me? Try it yourself and please give us a full report. I'm with mike_s - kill 'em and take 'em to the first dumpster. Or....eat them....but skin them first. Cajun style....mmmm.

 

[BTravlin]

I am willing to call attention to a lionfish that I happen to spot to my divemaster, and in turn, expect he/she to take care of what he/she needs to do if possible, however, I am paying for a recreational dive, not a lionfish hunt. In other words, I put full faith in my Divermasters ability to provide excellent professional service and diving while at the same time addressing his/her responsibilities regarding lionfish, I however do not feel that fellow divers in my group should be included.

Sue

Sue, just wanted to point out that I don't believe the DM's have any real responsibility where lionfish are concerned. I have seen many who do actively seek out and kill the lionfish while others ignore them. I think most of the DM's in Coz are trying to control the lionfish though because they believe that will be best for their long term livelihoods.

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Just returned from a weekend in Cozumel and proud to report there are five fewer lionfish out on the reef as of now!