Purchase your VIP passes or register a team today! For complete event details, visit www.REEF.org/lionfish/derbies.

The Upper Keys Lionfish Derby will host a People’s Choice Lionfish Culinary Competition on Sunday Sept. 16, at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park from 12-4pm. Join the "Eat 'em to Beat 'em" movement and get the full experience at the derby with a VIP Access Pass! You will be able to sample gourmet lionfish cuisine from the participating chefs, vote for the best dish, get free access to Pennekamp Park, and two drink tickets. Culinary competition participants include local chefs from Chef Michael's, Atlantic's Edge of Cheeca Lodge & Spa, Chef Drew's Island Catering, CJ's on the Bay and Ocean Reef Club. Purchase VIP Passes for $20 online here or call 305-852-0030.

Calling all lionfish hunters! REEF's 2018 Lionfish Derby Series presented by Whole Foods Market® has removed 2,237 invasive lionfish from Florida waters so far this year. Let’s aim to bring that number higher! Registration fee for competitors is $120 per team. Teams may consist of 2-4 people. Prizes will be awarded to teams bringing in the largest (1st-3rd), smallest (1st-3rd), and most lionfish (1st–10th place), in addition to a new First Timers award category. Also, all participating teams who check in at the scoring station on derby day will be entered into a drawing for the Golden Fish Award, a $1,000 cash prize, as a special thank you for helping to address the lionfish invasion. Every participant in each derby this year will also earn an entry into the drawing for an Atlantis Philippines Dive Resorts & Liveaboards certificate for a 7-night dive vacation. All attendees can enjoy free lionfish tastings, live music by Key Largo's Cast Away, and raffles, plus dissections, filleting demonstrations and crafts.

For more information or to register, visit the Upper Keys Lionfish Derby page.