Lionfish report

[Aigtbootbp]

Just got back from CZM, ran across three lionfish. First was just north of the green floating thing at the swim beach of the Wyndham, the other two were at tormentos. The Wyndham on-site dive shop said they will be going after the one there and at tormentos the DM tried to get both but I think he only got one.

 

[BTravlin]

Was there in July and I found one three minutes into my first dive at Palancar Gardens. DM snagged it and another DM snagged a second one on the same dive. I was thinking this is really bad. Luckily, didn't see another one the rest of the week.

 

[sffrenchman]

Was there last week at the DM captured 3 of them over 5 days

 

[jd950]

I wonder how long it is going to be before the DMs are going to have to choose between leading a dive and catching fish? There has to be a point at which it isn't fair to paying divers to hang around fighting the current watching the DM try to net a fish.

Clearly we are not there yet, but I think it won't be too long before someone needs to come up with Plan B.

 

[bcaderunr]

I wonder how long it is going to be before the DMs are going to have to choose between leading a dive and catching fish? There has to be a point at which it isn't fair to paying divers to hang around fighting the current watching the DM try to net a fish.

Clearly we are not there yet, but I think it won't be too long before someone needs to come up with Plan B.

Yup - but if they don't keep trying to control them, there won't be anything left to see during rest of your dive except more lionfish. That was Plan "B" in the Bahamas.

 

[Dive Choice Mexico]

Yup - but if they don't keep trying to control them, there won't be anything left to see during rest of your dive except more lionfish. That was Plan "B" in the Bahamas.

Thank you very much for this wise answer!!!!!

 

[jd950]

I wasn't suggesting that nothing be done, but sort of wondering aloud if there was some plan for the day when there will be 5, 6, 8, maybe 10 lionfish per dive. I am not trying to start any kind of fight, but I am not sure I would be too happy if I spent most of a dive just swimming against the current and watching the DM try to catch a fish. I would also think there could be safety concerns, especially for newer divers.

Maybe Cozumel needs to start some sort of local volunteer force so two "guides" can go in the water on dives, one to hunt and one to guide?

Surely, no one thinks that the lionfish population isn't going to continue to increase?

 

[ScubaSteve]

A dive operator would have to come up with significant rebates in order to calm me if my dive consisted of watching a DM catching fish. If the country (and island) wants tourism in the form of divers then they need to find a better solution.

I want the problem dealt with but not while I am FORCED to dive with a DM. Let me dive my dive and allow the DM to focus on catching lunch.....that is a solution I can get behind.

I wasn't suggesting that nothing be done, but sort of wondering aloud if there was some plan for the day when there will be 5, 6, 8, maybe 10 lionfish per dive. I am not trying to start any kind of fight, but I am not sure I would be too happy if I spent most of a dive just swimming against the current and watching the DM try to catch a fish. I would also think there could be safety concerns, especially for newer divers.

Maybe Cozumel needs to start some sort of local volunteer force so two "guides" can go in the water on dives, one to hunt and one to guide?

Surely, no one thinks that the lionfish population isn't going to continue to increase?

Posted via Mobile Device

 

[bhalah]

I wasn't suggesting that nothing be done, but sort of wondering aloud if there was some plan for the day when there will be 5, 6, 8, maybe 10 lionfish per dive. I am not trying to start any kind of fight, but I am not sure I would be too happy if I spent most of a dive just swimming against the current and watching the DM try to catch a fish. I would also think there could be safety concerns, especially for newer divers.

Maybe Cozumel needs to start some sort of local volunteer force so two "guides" can go in the water on dives, one to hunt and one to guide?

Surely, no one thinks that the lionfish population isn't going to continue to increase?

Interesting. I don't think a two guide approach would work well though. The problem, as I see it, would be that the hunter guide would be left behind by the guided group while the lion fish capture was taking place.

 

[ONESPEED]

I wonder how long it is going to be before the DMs are going to have to choose between leading a dive and catching fish? There has to be a point at which it isn't fair to paying divers to hang around fighting the current watching the DM try to net a fish.

That's why they should carry a spear instead of a net, quick and easy and dinner is served.