Lion fish are an invasive species in the Caribbean. They originally come from the Indo-Pacific region of the world. The origin of invasive lionfish in the Caribbean is is still unknown, with reported sightings starting round the mid ’90’s. One theory suggests hurricane Andrew destroyed an aquarium in southern Florida, releasing the fish into the gulf of Mexico. Another theory suggests the release from personal fish tanks. A most likely theory, as there were reported sightings off the coast of Florida before hurricane Andrew. From there they have spread all the way around the Caribbean and are now moving up the East coast of the USA.
Lion fish are the ‘perfect’ invasive species.
Females can lay up to 2 million eggs per year, living up to 15 years. They have no natural predators in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean or Atlantic USA. They spread like wildfire. Invasive lionfish will eat anything smaller than them, and growing to over 1 foot long that gives them a lot of options. Lionfish can survive without food for up to 3 months, but with no ‘full’ feeling, they don’t stop eating when there’s a feast before them. This leads to an unbalance in the local reef systems. A lot of the favoured prey species are those which help clean corals of damaging algae. Invasive lionfish are threatening local economies, by damaging the biodiversity and abundance of species available in the fisheries sector.
Efforts to eradicate invasive lionfish in the Caribbean.
In the Caribbean certain nations formed a group for mitigation of this species. They created an invasive lionfish task force and are sharing methods of eradication. Strategies include workshops, conferences, competitions, policy change and research groups, giving people the opportunity to share ideas and experiences. Workshops have training on methods for safe capture, handling and culinary demonstrations. Conferences include the airing of public service announcements and short educational programs for local people and businesses. Competitions and derbies provide an incentive for catching lionfish. Amending policy can encourage lionfish control efforts, and creates markets for the meat. Finally, through research we can find out more about their ecology, biology and how to limit the invasion!
Challenges with invasive species.
Unfortunately there are some challenges to be faced in the eradication of lionfish here in the Caribbean. Limited human capacity and training opportunities available means the effective capture, handling and removal of lionfish is often limited. The general hesitance of locals to participate in efforts to control lionfish through fishing and regular consumption is a problem.
With it being an unknown fish to them, locals are reluctant to try something new and different. Creating, developing and sustaining markets for lionfish meat is difficult. Often the local fishermen find the effort and risk involved in removing the venomous spines, outweighs the benefits they get from selling them. Lack of political will to act, i.e. amending and drafting of new legislation slows down the process and makes implementing strategies slow. Once implemented it is mostly too late to make a difference. Lack of sustainable funding to support removal efforts is a huge issue, as in most of the world of conservation.
Lionfish are not the only invasive species around the world. The Caribbean is not the only area suffering from these impacts. Barnacles from New Zealand are out-competing the local British barnacles; Crown of Thorns Starfish are decimating the Great Barrier Reef.