What do you know about lionfish? They are typically known as beautiful, unique fish that inhabit saltwater aquariums. Did you know from a handful of fish in 1985 (Dania Beach was the first reported sighting) that their population has exploded all over the world. They are an invasive species threatening saltwater fish, wildlife and habitat. The FWC actually encourages people to kill lionfish – on the spot – by whatever means possible. If you didn’t know about their population levels, just watch this YouTube video from Alex Fogg.
From Alex Fogg’s YouTube page : While diving with Coast Watch Alliance in the last Gulf Coast Lionfish Coalition derby in Pensacola, FL we came across a reef that had a high density of lionfish present. We determined that this site was in fact an upside down sunken Airplane. In the northern Gulf of Mexico we see some of the highest densities of lionfish reported. Due to lack of air and bottom time we needed to return on a different day. our combined total was more than 200 lionfish and there were still a number of lionfish that could not be reached and will need to removed on the next visit.
The Mission of the Gulf Coast Lionfish Coalition is: to educate the public, and increase awareness of the threats posed by the invasive lionfish to Gulf Coast fisheries and marine ecosystems; to promote and facilitate the removal of lionfish by volunteer divers; and, to promote and facilitate the consumption of lionfish by the public via restaurants and seafood markets.
https://www.facebook.com/CoachWatchAlliance
http://www.gulfcoastlionfish.com
