Divers will return to Florida Keys waters next month on a mission: net thousands of dollars in cash and prizes while protecting the environment from invasive lionfish.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) are hosting the second annual lionfish derby series starting May 14, in Long Key, Fla. In 2010, the inaugural series of lionfish derbies removed 664 of the Pacific invaders from sanctuary waters.

 “Anyone who appreciates the diversity of the Keys coral reef should be concerned about these invasive fish,” said Sean Morton, sanctuary superintendent. “Divers have been actively engaged in lionfish removal in the Keys since 2009 and these tournaments are a way to reward them for their dedication to the reef.”

Scientists are concerned about the impacts of lionfish in South Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico waters, and their lack of a natural predator in the Atlantic. Lionfish are known to feed on ecologically and commercially important fish species — including snapper, grouper and shrimp — and could disrupt the balance of the coral reef ecosystem which supports the tourism and fishing industries of the Keys.

Researchers will collect samples from lionfish caught at the derbies to learn more about lionfish genetics, growth and impacts to native marine life.

“Fortunately for conservationists and resources managers, these fish also happen to taste great,” said Lad Akins, special projects director for REEF. “Restaurants in the Keys have begun to serve local Keys lionfish and patrons can feel good that lionfish consumption benefits the environment.”

Each tournament also includes a detailed awareness and training briefing and lionfish tasting. NOAA has developed an “Eat Lionfish” campaign that brings together fishing communities, wholesalers, and chefs in an effort to broaden U.S. consumers’ awareness of this delicious invader. In 2010, REEF published “The Lionfish Cookbook” which includes 45 recipes and instructions on how to collect and prepare the fish.

This year, more than $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded to the divers who bring in the most lionfish, largest lionfish, and smallest lionfish during the Sanctuary/REEF series of tournaments. Teams of up to four divers may register online at www.reef.org/lionfish/derbies or pick up registration forms at participating derby venues. Along with dinner and raffle tickets, the $120 registration fee provides each team with a pair of puncture resistant gloves or a capture bag — important protection from lionfish spines.

2011 lionfish derby dates and locations: May 14 — Fiesta Key Resort, Long Key, Fla. August 20 — Coconuts Restaurant, Key Largo, Fla. November 5 — Hurricane Hole Marina and Restaurant, Key West, Fla.

The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) is a 501 c (3) marine conservation organization dedicated to protecting and preserving marine environments. REEF has been leading lionfish research, education and control efforts throughout the invaded region. For more information visit www.REEF.org.

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, sea grass meadows, mangrove communities and sand flats. NOAA and the state of Florida manage the sanctuary. Visit us online at www.floridakeys.noaa.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/floridakeysnoaagov.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us online at www.noaa.gov or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/usnoaagov.

REEF is pleased to announce that one space on the 2011 Roatan Field Survey Trip will be held for a dive-certified educator to participate in underwater fish surveys of various dive sites within the Roatan Marine Park. Conservation, Education, Diving, Awareness, and Marine-research (CEDAM) is sponsoring the Lloyd Brides Scholarship that will fund this unique opportunity.

Both elementary and secondary level teachers and those employed by an agency, aquarium, or non-profit organization whose primary position is education are eligible for the scholarship.  Applicants must hold open-water scuba certification or higher and are required to submit an essay as part of the application.

In July of 2010, REEF conducted a number of fish surveys on dive sites outside of the Roatan Marine Park. Survey data showed low species counts in comparison to the one site surveyed within the park.  REEF and the Marine Park then decided to bring REEF back in 2011 to survey dive sites protected by the Marine Park.  The data collected could help the marine park obtain future community and governmental support and funding.

The scholarship recipient will learn fish id, have the opportunity to become an expert-level fish surveyor, and collect important fish species and abundance data.  Additionally, the recipient is encouraged to share their experiences with students to inspire their interest in marine science and conservation.

For more information or to apply for the Lloyd Bridges Scholarship, please visit: www.cedam.org.

Application deadline is May 1, 2011.

Approximately 100 divers collected 534 Indo-Pacific red lionfish during the first tournament dedicated to reducing the population of the invasive species in the Florida Keys waters.

The September 11 tournament in Key Largo, organized by REEF and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, is the first of three Keys-based lionfish roundups. The event attracted 27 teams which competed for cash and prizes to collect the most, largest and smallest lionfish.

The winning team captured 111 lionfish during the single day event. The largest lionfish caught measured in at just under 11 inches, and the smallest at less than two inches. Lionfish can grow to lengths of over 18 inches in western Atlantic waters where they are not native.

“The sanctuary is thrilled by the response from the dive community,” said Sanctuary Superintendent Sean Morton. “The volume of fish caught during this single day event demonstrates that dedicated diver removal efforts can be effective at helping keep this invasive at bay.”

Team “Raaw Talent,” from the Upper Keys and led by Captain Al Wilson, captured 111 lionfish and the grand prize of $1,000 for most lionfish. The “Lion Killers” of Islamorada and Marathon netted the largest lionfish, along with $500. And with the capture of the smallest lionfish, team “Full Circle from Key Dives” also caught themselves $500.

Both teams “Raaw Talent” and “Full Circle” had been through REEF’s educational workshops on lionfish safety and handling and have been very active in reporting sightings to REEF and capturing lionfish for research purposes. These lionfish derbies are great events to reward those already involved in REEF’s lionfish control programs and to recruit more people to become active in lionfish control.

“The community participation in this event surpassed even our most generous expectations”, said REEF Director of Operations, Lad Akins. “Everyone came together for a great event, including sponsors, volunteers, organizers, and of course, the lionfish hunters. Even those who brought in a single fish contributed to the protection of our native marine life and deserve our thanks.”

Divers and snorkelers interested in participating for the remaining 2010 Keys lionfish tournaments may register online at www.reef.org/lionfish/derbies.

The second lionfish derby will be held October 16 at Keys Fisheries Market and Marina in Marathon, FL. The third derby will be held November 13 at Hurricane Hole Marina, in Key West, FL. A $100 registration fee provides each team with a pair of puncture resistant gloves — important protection from lionfish spines — and two tickets to the tournament banquet.

For complete results and derby information go to www.REEF.org/lionfish