Lionfish on Captain Mike's reef: juno ledge off of jupiter

[sportxlh]

This sucks, but while diving with Jupiter Dive Center yesterday, I saw two lionfish on Captain Mike's Reef (just south of area 51). One was south of the 'amphitheater' and the other was at the eastern side of the 'amphitheater's' semi-circle. During the surface interval, a diver indicated that she had seen a third lionfish. Not good

These shots are of the one in the amphitheater.

no one had a spear or other device to kill the vermin (as I have seen divers do on other trips). This one as pretty good sized. I held my knife up for comparison and the spines were at least as long as my blade (about 5 inches) and decided I was not going to attempt to impale it.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Foldspear - the innovative new folding pole spear


You guys that don't normally hunt need to consider this product, The pole spear folds into a compact pouch and you can remove and replace relatively quickly. That is until the lionfish take over and everyone has to carry a pole spear all the time....

 

[Jax]

Question - does one need a Florida fishing license to

1 - carry a spear, and / or

2 - spear a lionfish?

 

[ONESPEED]

 

[Chugwhump]

This Sucks!

I know that at least two more got zapped with Scuba Safari in Pompano yesterday in the 60' range.
The gentleman that killed them also found a Riffe spear-gun in need of a little cleaning, but it will have character when he restores it.

Chug
And why can't I thank Onespeed more than once on a post?

 

[Chugwhump]

Question - does one need a Florida fishing license to

1 - carry a spear, and / or

2 - spear a lionfish?

Jax;
I dunno.
I think so.
Even though the suckers are an invasive depredator, the state of Florida probably wants you to pay thirty thousand pesos for the privilege of killing the pest with an out of state fishing liscence when you come in June.

Chug
We ought to look into it.

 

[ONESPEED]

Chug
We ought to look into it.

I am going to look into it, if they do require a license to spear lionfish we need to lobby to change the law.

 

[Chugwhump]

I have never lobbied for anything to speak of, but this is a good time to start.

Chug
Hates lobbyist's.

 

[Jax]

 

[Scott L]

I am going to look into it, if they do require a license to spear lionfish we need to lobby to change the law.

This was covered in some detail a few months ago on that BHB LF sighting thread. Non native invasive species enjoy no protections from being hunted. I cannot be sure about simply carrying a folding spear though. An interesting question...