Lionfish in WPB

[DixieDolphin]

Spotted two lionfish on Horseshoes Reef in WPB yesterday in about 45'-53' of water.

Was loaded up with camera gear and wasn't wearing gloves, so couldn't get in close enough to safely kill them. But I did report the sighting and sent the photos to REEF.org.

 

[Scott L]

Great job. I don't believe you would want to grab, even with gloves...

 

[DixieDolphin]

Yeah, coulda stabbed 'em with my knife.. but really, really didn't want to get stung.

So, best I could do was catch them with the camera.

 

[Scott L]

Yep, there was a thread in the Cozumel forum a week ago of a fellow that almost lost a finger from a puncture wound. He did lose a sizable portion of tissue on the finger. Here is some Reef.org products on the subject...

Lionfish Collection Kit | Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)

Or a foldspear with Lionfish tip...

Foldspear - the holstered pole spear, spearfishing with polespear

 

[DixieDolphin]

Ah! A vinyl net, I like it! That probably wouldn't be too hard to rig out of some of my old aquarium nets, honestly. Hmm, food for thought!