2024 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival


REEF's 15th annual event will culminate in a family-friendly conservation festival at picturesque Postcard Inn Resort & Marina.

CONSERVATION FESTIVAL - Sunday August 18, 2024 12PM - 4PM, Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina

The festival is open to the public and includes lionfish scoring, fillet and dissection demonstrations, lionfish tastings, lionfish games and crafts, raffle prizes, plus twenty-five booths from environmentally-minded vendors with interactive exhibits.

Chefs will be providing lionfish cooking demonstrations and special dishes and drink special will be available at the Tikki Bar.

 

Check out last year's Festival in the video above and the 2023 Lionfish Derby & Festival Photos

Please contact lionfish@REEF.org with questions

Derby ScheduleVendor ApplicationsDerby Registration


Event Schedule

Thursday, Aug 15: Captain's Meeting* for registered derby teams - 6:30-7:30PM (6:15 PM final check in), REEF Campus Key Largo & virtual (link sent out to registrants); gear rental begins

Friday, Aug 16: Fishing sunrise to sundown

Saturday, Aug 17: Fishing sunrise to sundown

Sunday, Aug 18: Lionfish Festival and Awards Ceremony at Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina; Final Team Weigh-in Drop off by 12:30PM; Awards Ceremony at 3:30PM; NO FISHING 


Registration

Early Bird Registration Discounts Available
$90 per team through July 12, 2024

$120 per team on or before August 15, 2024 (6:30PM)

Minimum 2 people per team, maximum 4 people

Registration fee is nonrefundable. 

Registration Link Coming March 15, 2024


 Lionfish Festival Vendor Applications open April 15, 2024

Limited festival vendor space is available for nonprofits, government organizations, and artisanal vendors.


Derby Details

  • 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 August 12 or pick up at the Captain's Meeting.