Negril link up?

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Hi Reefhugger -- sorry we will miss you this time. We were in Negril the first of June (Couples Negril).

Since we were there in December, it seems the lionfish have found the map to Negril! Have you heard whether Jamaica has established a program to eradicate or are the fishermen still afraid (as I heard in December).
 
Hi leo - Lionfishes been here for at least a year and getting more prevalent. The first advisory from the Fisheries dept was to capture for them for DNA testing. The latest is now to kill. Because of the poisionous nature all the fishermen that I've spoken to, are refusing to eat them. I am trying to collect some recipes for them. What I would really like though, is instructions on how to prepare the fish for cooking i.e. navigate all the spines safely.

We have no natural predators to keep the lionfish in check, so our already dangerously low fish stock is definitely at risk. Maybe, the noise some of us have been making, is finally seeping through. Fisheries have recently announced some measures - banning spearfishing by Mar. 2010, incease in fishpot mesh size by Jul. 2010, total ban on lobsters during breeding season, establishment of no take zones, etc. Hopefully this time, this is not just another politician sounding off. But then, no mention was made of policing/enforcing.
 
All,
Lionfish are closely related to the regular Caribbean scorpionfish, but with more meat and taste better.
Collection: Spear or dip-net, but spear is easier. Leave 'em on the spear and take out your trusty heavy scissors or snips and cut off all hard fins to the skin, then bag. Cooking/heating breaks down the toxin right away, so some people will suggest you heat the spines with a torch or lighter on the boat or once you get home. If on SCUBA it seems easier to snip off the spines underwater and keep going.
Cooking- Whatever you want. Scales are small and easily removed, filets are large and white and (apparently) no extra little bones. Very nice in a breaded fry. There are some great U-Tube vids out of Bahamas.
A
 
Thanks - definite yes to shears and will check you tube.

Was thinking of a dip in boiling water before shearing, but then it might start to cook. I believe, however, that we are going have quite a lot with which to experiment.

Maybe, we should promote it as better than viagara.
 
Maybe, we should promote it as better than viagara.

HAHA! Well you already have your conch fritters as your aphrodisiac... just might work!

Seriously I wouldn't mind coming back to eradicate these little buggers before they really take hold. :lotsalove: Anybody set up something yet? I just had a fleeting memory of the 'ole Ghostbusters movies... yikes better get back to work. :coffee:
 
Thanks for the info ...I will speak to the watersports manager at the resort when we are there again in December.

I did read in some research that grouper are known to eat them, but sadly, I have only seen a few grouper in Negril, and no large ones, unless they are out deeper.

If it was found that lionfish were good for the bamboo, those lionfish would have no chance!


Linda
 

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