Lionfish (Pterois miles, and P. voitans), from the Pacific ocean are sought after for marine aquariums in North America. Off of the Atlantic coast in the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and into the Caribbean, though, this predatory fish has become an invasive species, threatening marine and reef ecosystems. It is believed that lionfish were introduced into this region when 6 of them escaped from a Florida aquarium in 1992, after the aquarium was damaged by Hurricane Andrew. To control the population of these invasive fish, creative measures are being employed.
Promoting Lionfish as Food
Luckily for us, and not so lucky for the lionfish, is that they taste really good. In Jamaica, too many fishermen are competing for the the limited resources of the surrounding ocean. Encouraging them to catch lionfish not only eases the strain on the fisheries, but creates an new market from which the fisherman and economy of Jamaica can benefit.
Other countries are following suit. In the Bahamas, Lionfish go for $12 a pound, which is higher in price than other food fish. A company in Nassau is offering to buy lionfish fillets to distribute to local markets.
The troublesome and invasive species are offering these countries opportunities for economic growth, as new markets are being created to control the spread of these fish. Hopefully, we can find lionfish in North American fish markets soon.
Lionfish Derbies
Fishing derbies consist of paying contestants who compete to see who can catch the most and largest fish. A lionfish Derby in Florida in June of 2010 included boats from Florida and the Bahamas, and a top prize of $5,000. One boat caught 345 lion fish in a single day (a sure indication of the overpopulation of these fish) and 941 lionfish were caught in all. The largest one caught was 19 inches and weighed almost 4 pounds.
The popularity of the derbies continue to grow, and hopefully so do the number of contestants. If you live in, or are visiting Florida, and think you would like to participate in a lionfish derby, they are held every six months or so. You'll have some fun, maybe win a prize, and help protect marine ecosystems.
Marine Aquarium Retailers Offer Atlantic Lionfish for Sale
Retailers who deal in marine fish for the home aquarium are now offering Atlantic lionfish for sale. One retailer, Saltwaterfish.com, actively promotes the sale of Atlantic lionfish they have in stock over the usual varieties that come from the Indo-Pacific.
This again is a win-win situation for the environment and the economy. Lionfish that come from Florida travel a great deal less to get to North American retailers than the ones from the Indo-Pacific. As such, these fish usually sell for a lower price than their Asian counterparts. The aquarist saves money while helping stem the tide of an invasive species of fish. The lionfish, as well, most likely prefer to be kept in an aquarium than end up on a dinner plate.
Sources
Dawes, John. "Lionfish: From Invader to Dinner Plate Fare." Pet Product News, March, 2011.
Dawes, John. "Atlantic Lionfish Now on Sale". Pet Product News, April, 2011.
Ian Shoust - With a degree in Communications and a certificate in Digital Video Editing, Ian Shoust has worked as a freelance videographer, editor, and ...
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