Turn in your lionfish to REEF HQ for the Monthly Lionfish Contest

 Throughout 2012, REEF will be holding contests for the most lionfish collected and turned in each month.  The goals of the contest are to continue to encourage year-round removals of lionfish and recognize those who are both taking part in removals and helping provide removal incentives. Lionfish collected in Keys waters support ongoing lionfish research education and outreach and removal efforts help to reduce impacts to our native systems. 

The monthly contests include two categories: 
1) Dive Operator/Team, where each dive shop or organized group serves as a collective team
2) Individual, for individual divers, snorkelers or fishermen who turn in lionfish that they have personally collected.

The monthly contest works on a point-based system; each lionfish turned in is worth one point. Correctly and legibly labeling collected fish will garner contestants an additional half point. Monthly winners in each category will be recognized in media releases, receive a certificate documenting their accomplishment and be eligible for prizes.  All participating teams and individuals will also be entered into monthly reward drawings.

The rules of the contest are:
1)  Lionfish must be collected in the Upper Keys (from Alligator Reef to Key Biscayne).
2)  Lionfish collected only during the month of the competition will count towards your score (you may turn in lionfish from prior months but they will not count towards your score). Lionfish may be turned in throughout the month and up to 5 days following the month’s end (eg. Jan 5 for Dec contest).
3)  Fish must be delivered to REEF HQ during business hours in whole, fresh or frozen condition (minus fillets if consumed).
4)  To correctly label specimens, the following information must be included:  The location where the lionfish was collected (common dive site name or gps coordinates), the depth, the date, and the collectors name and contact information.  If multiple lionfish where collected on the same dive, they can all be put into one bag or container as they have all the same information.
5)  Contestants must follow existing fishing, park and sanctuary regulations (note that nets can be used to collect lionfish in areas where spearing isn't permitted but hook and line fishing is).

 
For more information or to donate prizes or funding, contact REEF (305) 852-0030 or e-mail REEFHQ@REEF.org.

Current Sponors:

       Shipwrecks Bar & Grill; Pilot House Marina & Restaurant; Key Largo Floral and Gift Shops, Inc.;

January 2012 Winners sponsored by Buzzards Roost Restaurant at Garden Cove Marina:

Individual-Cate Kelliher            Team-Quiescence Diving Service

February 2012 Winners co-sponsored by Papa Johns Pizza and Shipwreck Bars & Grill:

Individual-Stacey Sheldon        Team-Horizon Divers         Random Drawing-Key Dives

March 2012 Winners co-sponsered by Pilot House Marina & Restaurant and Dominos Pizza:

Individual-Cate Kelliher                                Team- Key Dives