REEF's 16th annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby will culminate on Sunday April 27, 2025 at the which will include a lionfish weigh-in and awards and conservation science and arts festival open to the public at the REEF campus.
Please contact lionfish@REEF.org with questions
Derby ScheduleDerby Registration (closed)Derby Details
Lionfish WorkshopsFestivalCaptains Meeting & Kick-off Party
Event Schedule
Thursday, Apr 24, 2025 6:30-7:30PM Captain's Meeting for registered derby teams (check-in begins at 6PM)
- Captains Meeting and Kick-off Party at Florida Keys Brewing Company, Islamorada, FL
- Captains Meeting can be attended via Zoom (link sent out to registrants)
Friday, Apr 25, 2025
- Fishing sunrise to sundown
Saturday, Apr 26, 2025
- Fishing sunrise to sundown
Sunday, Apr 27, 2025 - NO FISHING
- 9AM - 12:30PM Team Weigh-in/Fish Drop off (12:30PM Last Drop off)
- 12PM-4PM Festival - Lionfish scoring, fillet and dissection demonstrations, tastings, games, and team awards at REEF Campus
- 3PM Awards Ceremony
Registration
Early Bird Registration Discounts Available
$90 per team through March 21, 2025
$120 per team on or before Apr 24, 2025 (6:30PM)
Minimum 2 people per team, maximum 4 people
Registration fee is nonrefundable
How to Participate
Step 1: Gather your team. Derby teams can be made of 2-4 divers. Decide on what division you will participate (Apex Predators or Reef Defender).
Step 2: Register your team and pay the Registration Fee.
Step 3: All members of your team need to complete the waiver.
Step 4: Make sure everyone on your team understands the rules of the Derby.
DERBY DETAILS
- FISH DROP OFF - REEF Campus - Sunday Apr 27, 2025 9:00AM-12:30PM. No late fish accepted
- The Captain's Meeting is mandatory for the team captains, and all team members are encouraged to attend.
- The team captain must be one of the four participants in the derby but does not need to be the captain of the boat. Safe collecting and handling techniques and derby rules will be reviewed. The Captain's meeting will be offered in person and virtually.
- Teams wishing to fish in the areas that fall under the FKNMS, FWC, and DEP permit must schedule a time to come to the REEF Campus to pick up packet materials, permits, and flags during the week of April 21, 2025 or pick up at the Captain's Meeting.
- All lionfish should be well packed on ice and teams must provide enough ice for lionfish, particularly those that will be held overnight.
- Teams will be able to take at least 80% of their catch after it is measured (REEF will keep some lionfish to use towards education and outreach activities).
- LOOKING FOR TEAMMATES? Join the REEF Invasive Lionfish Group on Facebook to connect with other divers.
Awards
- Prizes will be awarded for MOST lionfish, SMALLEST and LARGEST lionfish, and a Golden Fish raffle award for all participating teams.
- During registration, teams must choose to compete in one of two divisions for the MOST Lionfish Prize.
- Apex Predators Division (More Competitive Division; Greater Prize Money)
- Reef Defenders Division (More Casual Division; Lower Prize Money)
- All teams will compete together for LARGEST and SMALLEST lionfish categories.
- All teams will be entered to win the $500 Golden Fish award as long as they check in with their data sheets even if they don't catch fish.
- All participants will be entered to win individual raffle prizes that will be drawn at Captain's Meeting on Thursday and Awards on Sunday.
- Awards will be presented in person and virtually (in-person attendance at awards is not mandatory).
- Prizes will not be mailed out. Teams must arrange to pick them up if they are not at the awards.
Don't have a boat? Local Florida Keys Dive shops charter and run lionfish dives!
Key Dives: Islamorada. Lionfish charters available. Call to book: 305-664-2211
Quiescence Diving Services: 6-pack boats available for lionfish charters. MUST BOOK ENTIRE BOAT. In-water guides come with additional fees. Call to reserve a boat: 305-451-2440.
Call shops for rates and to reserve space.
Need gear for the derby?
ZooKeeper will donate 20% of your purchase when you use this link. For 10% off your order, use the coupon code REEFZK.
Waterlust donates 5% lionfish apparel sales to REEF and a portion of all sales if you use this link.
Special Thanks to our 2025 Program Sponsors!