With the potential to destroy so many reefs in the Bahamas, what are the options in eliminating the lionfish population?

We know they're poisonous, but can they be killed and collected by people safely?

While crawfish and grouper seasons are going through open and closed seasons, would it make sense to declare an open season for lionfish?

Here's my idea:

Fishermen could be the army needed to deal with the invasive species. Each lionfish could net some sort of reward from the gov't (or civil group like BREEF/reEarth/BNT) as long as a few criteria are followed.

1. Fishermen would be required to detail exactly where the fish were found. Everyone's got a GPS on their boat anyway.
2. How many lionfish were seen in the area and how many were culled
3. The condition of the reeflife currently (corals, fish, crustaceans,etc)

Information gets loaded into a database that starts to track changes in reef conditions, lionfish populations, etc. The fish themselves would have to be presented to claim any reward and the samples sent to COB for a biology class or something.

The lionfish war could be backed by either a Florida State fund or a US fund as they don't want their reefs invaded too. Stopping the invasion in the Bahamas before they come to the US would be a prudent move for them.

Please share any other ideas or comments. Left unabated, the lionfish will kill a reef faster than a bleach bottle...

With the potential to destroy so many reefs in the Bahamas, what are the options in eliminating the lionfish population?

We know they're poisonous, but can they be killed and collected by people safely?

While crawfish and grouper seasons are going through open and closed seasons, would it make sense to declare an open season for lionfish?

Here's my idea:

Fishermen could be the army needed to deal with the invasive species. Each lionfish could net some sort of reward from the gov't (or civil group like BREEF/reEarth/BNT) as long as a few criteria are followed.

1. Fishermen would be required to detail exactly where the fish were found. Everyone's got a GPS on their boat anyway.
2. How many lionfish were seen in the area and how many were culled
3. The condition of the reeflife currently (corals, fish, crustaceans,etc)

Information gets loaded into a database that starts to track changes in reef conditions, lionfish populations, etc. The fish themselves would have to be presented to claim any reward and the samples sent to COB for a biology class or something.

The lionfish war could be backed by either a Florida State fund or a US fund as they don't want their reefs invaded too. Stopping the invasion in the Bahamas before they come to the US would be a prudent move for them.

Please share any other ideas or comments. Left unabated, the lionfish will kill a reef faster than a bleach bottle...
Man ain't no GPS on no dingy bey!!!

Man ain't no GPS on no dingy bey!!!

I got a GPS that fits in my shirt pocket. Your cellphone probably has a GPS in it too.

Even if they don't, they should be able to pinpoint where they were on a map when they caught the lionfish.

With the potential to destroy so many reefs in the Bahamas, what are the options in eliminating the lionfish population?
We know they're poisonous, but can they be killed and collected by people safely?
While crawfish and grouper seasons are going through open and closed seasons, would it make sense to declare an open season for lionfish?
Here's my idea:
Fishermen could be the army needed to deal with the invasive species. Each lionfish could net some sort of reward from the gov't (or civil group like BREEF/reEarth/BNT) as long as a few criteria are followed.
1. Fishermen would be required to detail exactly where the fish were found. Everyone's got a GPS on their boat anyway.
2. How many lionfish were seen in the area and how many were culled
3. The condition of the reeflife currently (corals, fish, crustaceans,etc)
Information gets loaded into a database that starts to track changes in reef conditions, lionfish populations, etc. The fish themselves would have to be presented to claim any reward and the samples sent to COB for a biology class or something.
The lionfish war could be backed by either a Florida State fund or a US fund as they don't want their reefs invaded too. Stopping the invasion in the Bahamas before they come to the US would be a prudent move for them.
Please share any other ideas or comments. Left unabated, the lionfish will kill a reef faster than a bleach bottle...



The Lionfish is an exotic fish not local to the Caribbean and its wreaking havoc on the marine life. It most have been dropped in the water out of someones fish tank. With no predators on it arsh it is multiplying like a double penis rabbit. It is a big problem in Jacksonville and other Florida cities. Here in the Keys they are researching a method to get rid of them. I understand Goliath Grouper AKA Jewfish love them and suck them down like Scoby snacks..Maybe it will work out..who knows

This is from my post a few months back. They are already in the States and they are obviously in the Bahams. This is a serious situation for any person that depends on fishing and crawfish to make a living. But as you can see Jewfish like to eat them so if we can re stock the Islands with a Jewfish population it could possible wipe out the Lionfish. Ya just have to put the Jewfish on a restrictive no take program

The Lionfish is an exotic fish not local to the Caribbean and its wreaking havoc on the marine life. It most have been dropped in the water out of someones fish tank. With no predators on it arsh it is multiplying like a double penis rabbit. It is a big problem in Jacksonville and other Florida cities. Here in the Keys they are researching a method to get rid of them. I understand Goliath Grouper AKA Jewfish love them and suck them down like Scoby snacks..Maybe it will work out..who knows
This is from my post a few months back. They are already in the States and they are obviously in the Bahams. This is a serious situation for any person that depends on fishing and crawfish to make a living. But as you can see Jewfish like to eat them so if we can re stock the Islands with a Jewfish population it could possible wipe out the Lionfish. Ya just have to put the Jewfish on a restrictive no take program

I remember this post. Didn't know that Florida was already fighting them though. Figure I'd start another thread under the new Environmental Forum...

Re: Jewfish
Looking at what happened in Australia years ago, the Brits brought rabbits over to the continent when it was a penal colony. The rabbits multiplied like double penis lionfish, so feral cats were brought it. The cats got so bad that foxes were brought in. Now, many of the indiginous species are threatened or extinct.

If the Jewfish sucks up a lionfish with gusto, it must eat other fish too. What are repercussions of bringing in a Jewfish population into the Bahamas? Will they eat the snappers too? Some other animals? What happens when the Jewfish successfully eliminate the lionfish?

We could end up starting a whole chain of events that cascade into a total ecological disaster if we aren't careful.

But doing something is better than doing nothing, right?

In my opinion bringing in another species to elimate lion fish would cause alot more damage.

Someone example suggestion was the Jewfish, it sounds like a pretty good idea in the beginning but there are serious consequences. Jewfish doesn't only findd them as prey, what would also happen when they run out of lion fish to consume, they'll turn to other sopurces. Then we'll have other issue.

However we do have one animal that feed on lion fish that I know about in the Bahamas, the moray eel.

First of all in my opinion, the Bahamas government shouldn't even have allowed them in the first place to be brought in to the Bahamas by either large commercial consumers, or private buyers.

There are ways to cull their ranks before they are too many. We just have to do research our on precaustions in which to take. However, spearing them gives divers a good sense of distance and security.

What ever action is going to be taken it must be take very soon.

Shane

In my opinion bringing in another species to elimate lion fish would cause alot more damage.
Someone example suggestion was the Jewfish, it sounds like a pretty good idea in the beginning but there are serious consequences. Jewfish doesn't only findd them as prey, what would also happen when they run out of lion fish to consume, they'll turn to other sopurces. Then we'll have other issue.
However we do have one animal that feed on lion fish that I know about in the Bahamas, the moray eel.
First of all in my opinion, the Bahamas government shouldn't even have allowed them in the first place to be brought in to the Bahamas by either large commercial consumers, or private buyers.
There are ways to cull their ranks before they are too many. We just have to do research our on precaustions in which to take. However, spearing them gives divers a good sense of distance and security.
What ever action is going to be taken it must be take very soon.
Shane

They have been seen by local divers out here that go for crawfish. I was on such a boat and instructed all fishermen out west to spear and leave dead on the bottom.

Isn't the Jewfish a species of grouper (though not as plentiful as the Nassau) already found in Bahamian waters?

The Lionfish was first spotted off Abaco, from what I have read. Forgot the links.

My speculation? Bought in by semi-permanent-residents for fish tanks. You know how they love to have a winter home there and show off stuff they get from the ocean in the home tanks. When it is time to pack up and leave, dump it back in the ocean.

This is a goliath grouper or itajara (Epinephelus itajara)or jew fish:

http://www.floridafishandhunt.com/articles/wildlife-information/fish-identification/saltwater/fishlarge/jewfish.jpg

This is a nassau gouper (Epinephelus striatus):

http://www.landbigfish.com/images/fish/LBF_Nassau_Grouper.jpg

look pretty freakin similar to me

Yes,

I know the Goliath Groper (aka Jewfish) is different, but it IS a species of grouper.

If it behaves (and tastes) like the Nassau Grouper,this may the solution we need for TWO problems- a severe depletion in the grouper stock and the lionfish.

Jewfish - Epinephelis itajara

Nassau Grouper - Epinephelis striatus

For what that means, sounds Greek or Latin to me and it took me 4 years to get through 2 years of high school Latin.

Jewfish - Epinephelis itajara

Nassau Grouper - Epinephelis striatus

For what that means, sounds Greek or Latin to me and it took me 4 years to get through 2 years of high school Latin.


So they are both groupers, but how does the Goliath gropuer (aka Jewfish) taste???

*Sunny considering goliath grouper sous for the tuckshop on a trial basis to help out the fisheries of the Bahamas*

So they are both groupers, but how does the Goliath gropuer (aka Jewfish) taste???
*Sunny considering goliath grouper sous for the tuckshop on a trial basis to help out the fisheries of the Bahamas*
I was just going to ask if lionfish are edible. Then you could do lionfish and fries in da tuckshop