Lionfish report

[geokr]

You crusty old bas.....just kidding. Sadly, most politicians have their heads so far up their asses that they stand no chance at having their eyes opened in time. I do hope someone has an idea that will get their attention because it will be a shame to lose any good diving to them.

Yeah - I wonder if the lionfish will enjoy Cozumel's unique dining experience - toad fish. Bet they will, for a while....

 

[Yagahokin]

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

There's a problem with using the spear. Statistically, I hear 50% are missed, and these fish are then harder to catch. The government here in Cayman have licensed around 200 of us so far to catch Lionfish and provide the nets and gloves. We get them over to the DoE with a full report on each, so they can study their impact on our reefs. We're finding it fairly easy and quick to net them due to the fact they tend to stand their ground. All tolled, we've netted over 400 since the initiative began here a couple of months back.

 

[Orlando Eric]

PoleSpear if you miss with that you suck like a black hole....

 

[kjack_1]

We dove Cancun a few weeks ago. The DM's brought up three L/F on one dive (from around the C-58). And they brought up another one on the second dive. They brought up a few more on some other dives too.

The largest one was prolly 9 inches (tip to tail). The others were no more than 4 inches. I couldn't figure out why the DM's were putting garbage bags in their pockets until we got back onboard.

We're going to Coz in November - so it will be interesting to see what happens there.

I'll have to ask the Dive Ops if they could put together a L/F hunt. Divers have the underwater clean-ups, save the reef programs, etc. - why not a Lionfish control program? One fish at a time . . . .

 

[geokr]

PoleSpear if you miss with that you suck like a black hole....

Second that motion - a polespear is the way to go. This one works very well, hard to miss, only goes a few feet and the sling never leaves the divers hand

Buy one here and try it for yourself. I think you'll agree that it's far easier and faster than netting. A lot less dangerous, too.

JBL 6 Ft Travel Polespear #2D72

 

[Mike]

For every lion fish a dive master pulls off the protected reefs there are probably 5 more within 200 yards out of reach, out of depth that will mosey in to replace any displaced, and a couple hundred more 500-1000 yds away out of reach, out of depth to move in and so on and so on.

I can only guess that when equilibrium is reached in the eco system you will routinely see a few lion fish on every dive, dive masters snagging one on every dive will be routine and the whole thing will just be a matter of controling the amount of lion fish in the park and any notion of eliminating them will be long gone.

Do the Japanese eat lion fish? If we can convince the Japanese that there is some sexual powers to be had from eating lionfish there might be a chance to eradicate them, they seem to have the uncanny ability to destroy species.

 

[BTravlin]

Do the Japanese eat lion fish? If we can convince the Japanese that there is some sexual powers to be had from eating lionfish there might be a chance to eradicate them, they seem to have the uncanny ability to destroy species.

I seem to remember hearing that the lionfish spines when applied to the male genitals will cause an immediate swelling in size. If the number of TV commercials on this subject are any indication then promotion as a means to male enhancement could solve the problem real quickly!

 

[HammerHead05]

Give divers some freedom and rent them a spear gun.....

I think divers should be given the opportunity to participate in controlling the spread of these terrorist fish BUT I've seen plenty of divers who are scary with a blunt end dive knife much less a freekin spear gun!!! Additionally, I've seen someone get lanced with those hypodermic spines and it ain't funny!!

I believe the right approach is to have PADI create a Lion Fish Killing Cert and let folks get certified and go hunting. PADI is always looking for ways to make a buck!!

 

[HammerHead05]

they seem to have the uncanny ability to destroy species.

Well said!!!!

 

[ScubaSteve]

I think divers should be given the opportunity to participate in controlling the spread of these terrorist fish BUT I've seen plenty of divers who are scary with a blunt end dive knife much less a freekin spear gun!!! Additionally, I've seen someone get lanced with those hypodermic spines and it ain't funny!!

I believe the right approach is to have PADI create a Lion Fish Killing Cert and let folks get certified and go hunting. PADI is always looking for ways to make a buck!!

A new PADI certification is ALWAYS the right answer