Lionfish in Puerto Aventuras area

[psumike]

It was disapointing to see lionfish on 4 of our 8 dives. The DMs were diligent about capturing them and sending the information to REEF, but of the 8 or so we saw, 3 would not cooperate with the plastic bags and remained loose.

They were a inches to about 6-8 inches in size. Mostly at 60+ feet.


Are they there permanently, given the frequency of sightings and variance in size?
I know 8 dives is not a statistical sample.

Mike

 

[scubawife]

I've been seeing reports that say they are being spotted "on almost every dive" on the reefs off Akumal as well... but sadly, divers there are also reporting that DMs from a couple of the shops point them out but take no interest in trying to capture them, even though the local NGO claims to have a program and be working with the area dive shop staff. Good to hear that in Aventuras they are trying to do what they can to control the population.

 

[Chocoholic]

when we were in PAventuras in Sep the DMs were going out after work to hunt the lionfish. They tried to capture several while we were diving and were successful some of the time.