Lion Fish

[Zancada]

In deciding whether or not the lion fish is an invasive species, note the last three sentences from the Friends of the envionment news letter.

Lionfish Derby
"The first annual Lionfish Derby will be held on June 5th and 6th in Green Turtle Cay. This tournament is an exercise and its goal is to raise awareness in our community about this invasive fish that is preying on our reefs, provide a venue for learning how to capture, handle and eat Lionfish, and generate excitement and cash awards for helping to reduce the numbers of Lionfish in our area. Scientists from REEF (www.reef.org/lionfish (http://www.reef.org/lionfish)) will be there to provide an interesting presentation on Lionfish, demonstrating how to safely handle them (Lionfish have venomous spines) as well as cook them. There will be thousands of dollars in cash prizes for various categories of lionfish brought into Derby Headquarters (The Green Turtle Club and Brendal’s Dive Center) in Green Turtle Cay- but you must be registered to win. The organizers of the event are receiving a one day permit from the Department of Marine Resources in order to host the event. Currently lionfish do not have any natural predators and breed every 28 days releasing as much as 30,000 eggs at a time. It is up to us to take action and help mitigate this potential ecological disaster. If you are interested in learning more about the tournament please email the organizers at lionfishderby@gmail.com (lionfishderby@gmail.com) ."

[Watercolours]

In deciding whether or not the lion fish is an invasive species, note the last three sentences from the Friends of the envionment news letter.

Lionfish Derby
"The first annual Lionfish Derby will be held on June 5th and 6th in Green Turtle Cay. This tournament is an exercise and its goal is to raise awareness in our community about this invasive fish that is preying on our reefs, provide a venue for learning how to capture, handle and eat Lionfish, and generate excitement and cash awards for helping to reduce the numbers of Lionfish in our area. Scientists from REEF (www.reef.org/lionfish (http://www.reef.org/lionfish)) will be there to provide an interesting presentation on Lionfish, demonstrating how to safely handle them (Lionfish have venomous spines) as well as cook them. There will be thousands of dollars in cash prizes for various categories of lionfish brought into Derby Headquarters (The Green Turtle Club and Brendal’s Dive Center) in Green Turtle Cay- but you must be registered to win. The organizers of the event are receiving a one day permit from the Department of Marine Resources in order to host the event. Currently lionfish do not have any natural predators and breed every 28 days releasing as much as 30,000 eggs at a time. It is up to us to take action and help mitigate this potential ecological disaster. If you are interested in learning more about the tournament please email the organizers at lionfishderby@gmail.com (lionfishderby@gmail.com) ."

Not sure yof what you are asking or saying? Need more clarification on your post.

[Zancada]

The purpose was just to give more information, if anyone is interested, as well as a website for some scientific opinions. Even with Dive Guana's observations, it's hard for some to believe that the Lion fish numbers have exploded the way they have and that the ecological balance of the reefs are in jeopardy.

[FlatFish]

Another link to a recent Smithsonian article:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Invasion-of-the-Lionfish.html?c=y&page=1

[Zancada]

Good article. Thank you FlatFish!

[abacopotcake]

The Lion Fish Derby was very successful...more than 1400 were brought in yesterday! Top boat brought in 289!

[grouperdawg]

1400...wow that is pretty awesome

[Abacobrad]

Who were the top boat(s)? Any pictures Potcake? Sure hope they scoured BitaBay oceanfront! Say hi to Cliffhanger when you see them wandering about town!

Brad

The Lion Fish Derby was very successful...more than 1400 were brought in yesterday! Top boat brought in 289!

[potcake909]

Awesome! What did they do with them all?? Put them on a grill mate & eat them? ;)

[abacopotcake]

I took some pictures of the cooler with the fish, but they were taken out one at a time to be measured and counted and then into a bucket...so I don't have a picture of them all laid out! They cooked some of the fish, but I was not there when the "tasting" was going on! Top boat was Thomas Sawyer (Tom Sawyer's Sea Adventures) and Gavin Roberts, 2nd M.J. Lowe and Tyler Survance and 3rd was a visitor and I don't remember his name (oops! I was not taking notes for The Abaconian!!!!) The biggest lion fish were 300+ mm...

[abacopotcake]

#1 The winning cooler
#2 The cleaning station
#3 cleaning the fish
#4 Volunteers
#5 Winners

[abacopotcake]

More pictures
#1 The smallest fish caught by Carl Schrack and crew
#2 Lion fish ready to eat
#3 Sean & Dillon with their catch
#4 Dale Roberts cleaning the fish..(again!!)
#5 Thomas Sawyer & Gavin Roberts caught the most (289) Bobbie Lindsay is on the far right. She organized the event. The gentleman next to her is from REEF, but I don't know his name (someone help me here!!!)

[Abacobrad]

Great pictures, Great Project.

Brad

[Zancada]

Ditto!!!!! Thank you to everyone!

[Joe Hamrick]

Abacopotcake, Thanks for posting the pic's
The shots are done by Mandy Roberts of GTC
Check out D.A.N. LionFish article.
did not say anything about GTC

http://www.alertdiver.com/articles.aspx?articleno=106&onpage=4