Lion fish are an incredibly invasive species which pose the greatest threats to the safety of coral reefs. Laying between 10,000 to 30,000 eggs every four days, and possessing a vacuum for a mouth, they inhale other juvenile fish and eggs. They can clean out entire reefs and destroy the native fish population. Originally from the Indian Ocean, Lion Fish arrived through exotic fish owners who then released them after they got too big for their enclosures.

Lion fish are quite pretty, featuring black, orange and white stripes running down their body, and long fins which house venomous spines said to be as sharp as a hypodermic needle which feel incredibly painful to those who are stung. Human victims describe the sensation likening it to be repeatedly jabbed by a needle. The puncture of the Lion Fish is actually powerful enough to go through the skin.

Is anything being done to cull the ever growing population of Lion Fish?

Yes!

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), “encourage divers, anglers and commercial harvesters to remove Lion Fish in Florida waters to limit negative impacts to native marine life and ecosystems.”

This means that it is open season on Lion Fish with no size limits. To promote their continued removal, Lion Fish tournaments have emerged offering prizes to anyone who is able to catch the most or the biggestare given for the most lion fish and the biggest.

Marine biologists have also tried to get sharks used to eating Lion Fish. According to “The Dodo,” however, “there’s limited evidence that the sharks will eat the fish without the diver’s help.”

And solutions ultimately presented will feature human playing a larger role in their removal.

Another plus to harvesting Lion Fish, besides helping the coral reefs thrive, is that they are really quite tasty. Their flaky white meat makes them perfect for fish tacos. Many restaurants in the keys and Caribbean serve Lion Fish as it is regarded a delicacy.

The next time you are out on ILS’s front yard, Biscayne Bay, and spot a Lion Fish, imagine the delicious dinner that awaits.

Sources:

https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lionfish/

https://www.thedodo.com/lionfish-not-shark-food-785447488.html