Lionfish roundup

[DandyDon]

Strictly from a biological perspective...does anyone know of comparative studies being done in Roatan concerning lionfish populations and the possible effects of the culling efforts? I'm wondering specifically whether they can actually see any net effect. Of course, the data all the way around (concerning the invasion) is pretty sketchy simply because it's all new and changing so dynamically, but it would be good to know what the effects might be.

Some studies from the Bahamas report at 80% native fish loss in areas. So far, the only thing that slows them down is running out of fish small enough to swallow. Sharks and Groupers are known to eat them, probly when they are smaller, but those predators are overfished.

 

[AggieDad]

Strictly from a biological perspective...does anyone know of comparative studies being done in Roatan concerning lionfish populations and the possible effects of the culling efforts? I'm wondering specifically whether they can actually see any net effect. Of course, the data all the way around (concerning the invasion) is pretty sketchy simply because it's all new and changing so dynamically, but it would be good to know what the effects might be.

That I honestly don't know. There is a Marine Park there now and they might be doing something or know someone who is. I suggested a "rodeo" so to speak but they (at the Resort) were a little concerned about having guests out running around with spears. I was down there last summer and did not see any and then we saw five. They have a chart up on the wall showing the fins that are dangerous, how to kill them, how to clean and eat them. I would love to see an aggressive program to kill them. One of the DM's did you a couple of small nets and put one in a plastic bag because the people he was with did not want to see them killed. I guess out of sight out of mind. Whatever. I prefer to see them with holes in them.

 

[Jax]

Smithsonian article on "Invasion of the Lionfish" May 8 2009
Invasion of the Lionfish | Science & Nature | Smithsonian Magazine

CBS News "To Catch a Lionfish" Aug 25 2009
To Catch a Lionfish - Couric & Co. - CBS News

How to prepare Lionfish
Lionfish Hunters assure us that lionfish tastes just like chicken

Florida Museum of Natural History - Ichthyology
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Department: Red Lionfish

Times Online "Lionfish devastate Florida's native shoals Oct 20 2008
Lionfish devastate Florida's native shoals - Times Online

USGS Fact Sheet: "Pterois volitans / miles . . . lionfish" Sep 2009+
NAS - Species FactSheet[/QUOTE]

:cool2:

 

[Jax]

Some studies from the Bahamas report at 80% native fish loss in areas. So far, the only thing that slows them down is running out of fish small enough to swallow. Sharks and Groupers are known to eat them, probly when they are smaller, but those predators are overfished.

Not quite true -- I don't know if the article is in the list I posted above, but one of the studies stated that Native predators would rather starve than go after a lionfish.

 

[sdiver68]

Nevermind, kill them on sight

 

[ScubaduoAdventures]

If you find find a lion Fish in your local area that is not part of its natural habitat please do not try to capture or especially try to spear it on your own. Unless you have been properly trained it is actually quite hard to get one of these guys and if they get away will remember the next time you try which will makes it even harder to find and trap them and you would need to be the Wild Bill Hickcock of spearfishing to nail one as they can move quite fast if they want to.
Best to note the location and report it to your local dive shop or the Reef Foundation who are training dive ops in the Atlantic region on how to trap them and supplying them with the proper gear to do it.
We have attached a photo of one of three captures we witnessed on a recent trip to Grand Cayman diving with Ocean Frontiers. You can also watch a short video clip of a capture on our Facebook page Scubaduo Adventures.

 

[vladimir]

you would need to be the Wild Bill Hickcock of spearfishing to nail one as they can move quite fast if they want to.

I do not pretend to know anything about spearfishing technique, but I do have hundreds of pictures of lionfish from close range. If they'll sit still for my camera, what makes them such a hard target for a speargun?

 

[NETim]

Terminate with extreme prejudice.

 

[DandyDon]

I do not pretend to know anything about spearfishing technique, but I do have hundreds of pictures of lionfish from close range. If they'll sit still for my camera, what makes them such a hard target for a speargun?

Really! They don't seem afraid of anything. I'm sure that the soft underbelly would be the best hit zone. Unfortunately, someone started a rumor that the dorsal spines are the only ones with venon - not true, but being repeated.

Nice pic, btw. I don't think that's P.volitans tho is it? Another specie of turkeyfish.

 

[vladimir]

Thanks Don. I just uploaded one of P. russelli. I don't know the species name of the first two but you are correct, definitely not P. volitans.







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