Where are the Lion Fish

[Dave Dillehay]

Like most ops in Cozumel we have been dutiful in killing Lion Fish. Now they are pretty much cleaned out of the National Park, and the remote sites way up north that we frequent are getting pretty bare as well. The problem in all this is that Lion Fish are damned delicious and not only we, but many restaurants are clamoring/paying top peso for Lion Fish.

On this forum I have seen anecdotal evidence that in the park they just go deep during the day. I have been to 250 many times before there were Lion Fish but are too darn old now to try it again. Does anyone have personal experience that suggests that there are plentiful big Lion Fish down deep? If so, a tri-mix business endeavor might make sense for us or others.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[Divegoose]

Just spent two weeks diving in Cozumel. Saw a total of three lion fish in the park. One solo, and two together. Remember a few years ago when they were everywhere.

Divegoose

 

[deepsea21]

The noticeable decline in lions in Cozumel is obviously due to the enormous pressure 1000's of hunters put on them. Unfortunately, that's not the case most everywhere else as they absolutely infest reefs that don't experience the pressure divers place on them in Cozumel. On our trip in December one diver on our boat talked about shooting so many in Jamaica I believe that his hand cramped up... said he could have filled a 55 gallon garbage can with them every day and everywhere he looked there were more and more of every size imaginable. I personally think we've not even begun to see the impact these things are going to have on fish populations throughout the entire Atlantic. It wasn't that long ago some were reported to have been seen off the coast of Europe now - that's a big ocean to cross but they apparently have somehow.

 

[northernone]

On my deeper dives I've come across 4 to 8 mature lion fish per dive over the winter. Mostly sighted in the 200-300ft range. Virtually no sightings in sub 150ft. Diving with my camera I was unable to harvest them.

Mainly singles, never in hordes like I've encountered elsewhere in the Caribbean.


I'd say we've done exceptionally well in culling the invasion here in Cozumel.

Enjoy,
Cameron

 

[ggunn]

It wasn't that long ago some were reported to have been seen off the coast of Europe now - that's a big ocean to cross but they apparently have somehow.

Eggs or juveniles drifting in the Gulf Stream, maybe? It turns around in the Arctic and heads south along the European coast.

 

[deepsea21]

March 29, 2017:

HOLIDAY WARNING: Deadly Lionfish with power to cause HEART FAILURE invade Mediterranean

 

[Dave Dillehay]

March 29, 2017:

HOLIDAY WARNING: Deadly Lionfish with power to cause HEART FAILURE invade Mediterranean

Lots of sensations in that report, while not good, they are not deadly as best we know. Hundreds of reported stings here in Cozumel, some very painful, some not too bad. But 18 poisonous spines goes too far. The three dorsal and three belly spines have the sting, the rest of the feathers do not. Indeed, when we take them we just use scissors to cut those 6 spines then handle them like any fish. Again, the side "feathers" seem to have no sting at all. Of course there may be other varieties but not the ones we know.

Also you may know we run Adventure Trips way up north past Barracuda, in Mid Channel down to 100 ft and even there we are running out of Lion Fish! Rats!


Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[deepsea21]

Lots of sensations in that report, while not good, they are not deadly as best we know. Hundreds of reported stings here in Cozumel, some very painful, some not too bad. But 18 poisonous spines goes too far. The three dorsal and three belly spines have the sting, the rest of the feathers do not. Indeed, when we take them we just use scissors to cut those 6 spines then handle them like any fish. Again, the side "feathers" seem to have no sting at all. Of course there may be other varieties but not the ones we know.

Also you may know we run Adventure Trips way up north past Barracuda, in Mid Channel down to 100 ft and even there we are running out of Lion Fish! Rats!


Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

Yes, I've never heard of Lion Fish being deadly.. perhaps if someone had some type of allergic reaction or something. With regard to which spines are venomous I'll take your word for it but as far as I'm concerned I'll steer clear of ALL OF THEM. Having been stung by a stingray once in the hand about 15 years ago, that re-defined pain on a "1-10 scale" for me. What I used to consider a 10 being burns & broken bones became a 5-6 after that experience.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

On my deeper dives I've come across 4 to 8 mature lion fish per dive over the winter. Mostly sighted in the 200-300ft range. Virtually no sightings in sub 150ft. Diving with my camera I was unable to harvest them.

Mainly singles, never in hordes like I've encountered elsewhere in the Caribbean.


I'd say we've done exceptionally well in culling the invasion here in Cozumel.

Enjoy,
Cameron

That is great if you see only big ones down deep. In Asia, where normally you only see big ones, they tell me that many fish (especially Stone Fish) eat the little ones but once past a certain size they can't. But by eating the small ones, that creates a balance there and is the reason the locals see no point in killing them—bet they don't know how good they taste!

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

PS Dear Deepsea21, i can guaranty that the side feathers don't sting…again, its just the dorsal and belly (six) that sting. Cut them off and play with the fish all you want.

 

[oldschoolto]

I don't cut any spines off.. just cut around the fish.. pull the skin off and cut the meat off the bone.. Takes 3 or 4 minutes per fish..

Jim