Lionfish

MOST WANTED[pic 1]

LIONFISH

Known as: lionfish, zebrafish, firefish, turkeyfish, red lionfish, ornate butterfly-cod, peacock lionfish, red firefish, pterois volitans, pterois miles

Originated from:South Pacific and Indian Oceans

Introduced to U.S by: occurred during Hurricane Andrew in 1992, at least six lionfish escaped from a broken beachside aquarium near Biscayne Bay. The lionfish was first found along Florida coasts in the 1990s and are now well established throughout most of the Caribbean, North Carolina, New York and Rhode Island.

Negative Consequences: Lionfish are vicious eaters and prey upon many different species of fish and crustaceans, this diet shows the real threat of this species that may lead to the end to many native reef fish populations in the marine ecosystem due to competitiom, and limited resources.

• Specific stomach contents of the lionfish include juvenile spiny lobster, wrasses, parrotfish, blennies, and other ecologically important species.
• This harmful diet of the lionfish may influence many trophic levels by reducing the amount of herbivorous fish that keep seaweeds and macroalgae from overgrowing corals.

Areas in the US the lionfish has invaded: 2000-2003; 49 lionfish sightings at 16 shipwrecks and ocean bottom areas.

In a 2004 research expedition, NOAA scientists gathered 155 lionfish at 19 locations off the North Carolina coast alone.

To control the lionfish population: The (NOAA) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is working with other associations such as the Reef Environmental and Education Foundation (REEF) and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to specifically control the lionfish population.

The most effective source of action has been the multiple lionfish derbies in the Florida Keys to raise public awareness, remove lionfish from the area, and bring attention the fact lionfish can be safely prepared and taken away by the public.