This blog is a repost from January. It didn't get much attention the first time I published it, but since it is an interesting topic, I hope to hear more opinions on it this time around. My opinion is pretty clear - I think we should remove the Lionfish whenever possible! Don't let my opinion stop you from adding your own, however, this is a great topic for debate.
The Atlantic Lionfish invasion is no longer breaking news. Most ecologically-minded divers know that the common lionfish, an invasive species from the Indo-pacific region, is decimating reefs across the western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico. Many dive destinations, such as the Bahamas, Cozumel, and Florida are implementing lionfish control programs with some success. What is most likely news to everyone is that on the mainland east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, almost nothing has been done to control this destructive species.
Most local instructors and guides feel adamantly that the lionfish need to be controlled. When permitted, many guides carry nets and receptacles on dives to remove the fish. The problem is that many local dive shop owners are discouraging lionfish capture; some dive shops expressly forbid their instructors to remove lionfish from the reefs. In a typically ineffectual maneuver, the Mexican government publically stated that it was ready to deal with the problem, and has proceeded to completely ignore it. As a result, I have personally seen lionfish populations explode on local reefs within the last few months. Four months ago, I had never seen a lionfish near Playa del Carmen, and now I hardly dive without seeing at least one.
Arguments I have heard against the removal of lionfish range from reasonable to ignorant to just plain stupid:
• PADI says we are not supposed to touch the animals.
• They are so pretty, and they are just following their nature.
• Humans caused the problem, why should lionfish pay for our mistake?
• It is mean.
• Guides will create dangerous situations, as capturing lionfish distracts them from clients.
• Lionfish are poisonous.
• Clients are going to be upset if we remove the fish on a dive.
• We shouldn't try to "play god" and control nature.
Yes, the common lionfish is quite pretty, but it doesn't belong in the Atlantic. The lionfish is simply following its nature, but its nature is to eat absolutely everything in sight. What about other fish species that have done nothing wrong, and are also just following their nature? Do they deserve to be eradicated, either directly or indirectly, by the lionfish? What about the thousands of people who subsist on reef-related industries? I would hope that most reasonable, intelligent divers would understand the situation, and would be happy to assist guides in spotting lionfish as this helps to protect the reef we all love.
I urge divers traveling to Mexico to make this issue a concern. Talk to local dive shop owners and let them know that you support lionfish removal. Don't dive with companies that prohibit it.
Speak Up!
What is your opinion? What do you think of these arguments? Should dive shop owners allow guides to remove lionfish?
Image copyright istockphoto.com, GlobalP
Comments
Vladi’s Comment on the Original Blog
Unfortunately we have the lion fish around Dominican Republic too, and of course the population is growing very very fast. I was trying to get the local dive shops in Bayahibe together and do something about it, but everybody is too “busy” . I don’t think it’s a good idea to catch them with clients, unless it is a dive dedicated to catching them. As you said it is not their natural environment, they are eating everything around so if we don’t do anything about it, we might not see anything else in few years, just lion fish
Jan’s Comment on the Original Blog
One question is not mentioned: is catching by divers effective? I can hardly imagine that this labour-intensive method will put a dent in the population. I think the solution has to come from a natural enemy – either appearing naturally or being introduced by humans as well; that introduction having its dangers ;-(
Look at e.g. the story about caulerpa taxifolia.
saw an article where locals were making the lionfish a favorite on the dinner plate. tough to argue the ‘cruel to lionfish’ on that one…
The lionfish is a serious problem. This video is interesting and the interviewee mentions a method to catch larger numbers of them. In the US NOAA is recommending that they be eaten…I haven’t tried one yet but am looking forward to it. Check out lionfishhunters com for additional discussion, video, and recipies.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EeAiDeDceE
I don’t think anyone who loves the reefs and the ecosystems surrounding them wants to see them risk destruction by a foreign species. Reef systems can be very fragile, so it’s not inconceivable that a voracious predator that feeds on juveniles, multiplies rapidly and has no local enemies might have a lasting negative impact.
I think hunting them is the most reasonable solution for now. It beats importing a new species to prey on them. That’ll probably lead to a new blog five years from now when the imported East Moroccan sea snakes start getting out of hand. And if we really want to speed up the extermination process, we just say it’s illegal or that lionfish thymus is good for virility. I think if we put our minds to it, as human beings we can probably wipe out a beautiful animal species that is trying to mind its own business. We’re good like that.
I agree with Jan (comment #2) that any diver action will make a very very tiny dent in the lionfish population. What percentage of the channel between Cozumel and the rest of Quintana Roo is actually diveable? Lionfish are still free to reign and reproduce in those many other areas that are not diver-friendly because of depth, currents or simply too far to make a charter boat trip lucrative.
Having said that, I have nothing against local divemasters removing the invader from the reef despite it being a very beautiful fish to observe. Why doesn’t the local diving industry take advantage of the many experienced divers that visit the area each year and put them to contribution? I’m always looking for new diving experiences, so if there was the opportunity to assist in dives organized by local divers and dedicated to removing lionfish, I would certainly be willing on my next visit to the area to take one day off from the cenotes and try a new activity such as this. I’m sure I’m not the only one.
Bleeding hearts, do not read this comment. Lionfish in the Atlantic must be exterminated as much as possible. This is not my killer instinct speaking, it is my nurturing instinct towards all the other species of the reef.
Next time I go back to Playa, I want to organize a Lionfish hunt tournament. I will volunteer my boat,(Mer Sea), will get a few divers on my team, and will invite other dive boats to compete with us. The boat that comes back that evning with teh most lionfish wins.
Hopefully, this will start a trend and it will become a regular event.
I hear Lionfish are edible and offered in some restaurants in the Bahamas. I would like to know if anybody tried it.
I saw a post on Scuba Board or Dive Matrix from a woman who was diving for 3 weeks in Cozumel. She said her DMs were carrying pole spears and were spearing Lionfish and feeding them to other fish, hoping to give the other fish a “appetite” for the lionfish.
She also posted pictures of the DMs doing just that.
KILL’EM, KILL’EM ALL!!!!
This would be great but would be very tough to make happen. This fish are not only on the shallow reefs but have been seen in over 300′ of water off the Carolina coast. But for there to be any chance of this to happen it is going to take a group effort. It might be that there are two DM on every dive one for students and on as exterminator. Might even be that shops can start offering “Lion fish kill dives”.
Does anyone every think that the Lionfish are just be the strongest fish in nature and have used there strenghts to take over new reefs? If the Lionfish are really eating everything then they will some day be w/o food so they will kill themselves.
Last year I made about 10 to 12 dives off Playa del Carmen
and never saw loinfish. I just got back from the same place and saw them on every dive not just one but up to eight and never less than three. Maby if they let some divers carry polespears we could keep these fish under control .
The dive grupe I dove with said they could not take any fish long as they had paying divers.
Mabe if dive companys let people dive for the price of air to take lionfish we could git a lot more fish off our reefs.
I have been spending two weeks each summer diving in Cozumel since 2007. I have seen a great increase in the population. I spoke with the DM’s from the dive operation I use every year and they encouraged me to bring a spear and hunt them. Last summer the DM’s were killing them and feeding them to other fish. The snappers and other species were gobbling them up. This may well be the best solution. I plan on doing the same this year and if I get some of eating size will clean them and have them prepared in the hotel. They are supposed to be a very good eating fish. Care must be taking in hunting and cleaning. Will this be the solution? probably not, but it’s something. Hunting and fishing them for food seems to be the best idea for now.