REEF to Give Public Talk on Exotic Invasive Lionfish
WHAT:
REEF, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation, will host a free educational presentation and discussion about the recent invasion of Atlantic waters by Indo-Pacific lionfish. Though no confirmed sightings have been made in the Florida Keys, the fish have become established along the U.S. east coast, Bahamas and Bermuda and are moving rapidly throughout the Caribbean.
Learn how to safely conduct lionfish removals by attending a REEF Invasive Lionfish Collecting & Handling Workshop.
Workshops include a classroom portion that covers background on the invasion, lionfish biology, ecological impacts, current research, and collecting and handling techniques. After we wrap up the classroom portion of the workshop, we will head out to the water for a 2-tank dive to put our skills to work.
Join us for a free community science lesson and activity in our Science Discovery Classroom! This week learn about the spread of the invasive lionfish in the Florida Keys and how it has impacted the ecosystem. Then, watch an educational lionfish dissection and learn how to get involved in our removal efforts!
All ages are welcome!
Brewing Awareness, Fighting Invaders!
Join us at Florida Keys Brewing Co. on Saturday, August 17, from 4pm-9pm for an exciting night of raising awareness about the threat of invasive lionfish! The event is free and open to the public and will include engaging activities, free lionfish tastings, live music, and family-friendly fun.
Join REEF at the Public Library as we dive into what conservation genetics is and how it can help us combat difficult ecological problems like invasive species! After a brief presentation, participants are welcome to take part in extracting DNA from a strawberry and see how we can use DNA to find out what invasive lionfish are eating.
Presented by Annika Olson, REEF Marine Conservation Intern
As part of the 2025 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival REEF will host the Derby Captains Meeting at Florida Keys Brewing Company on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
As part of the 2026 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival REEF will host the Derby Captains Meeting at Sharkeys Sharkbite Grill, April 23, 2026.
Participating teams can check-in starting at 5:00 and pick up shirts, permits and team packets. The presentation will be from 6:30-7:30 and will cover a general background about invasive lionfish, best collecting and handling practices and then the Derby rules and permits. The presentation is mandatory for the captain of each derby team, and is open to anyone interested in learning more about invasive lionfish.
A fish as beautiful as it is destructive; invasive lionfish have had dramatic impacts on marine ecosystems due to their high reproductive rate and voracious appetites. These visually stunning fish have characteristic red and white stripes and long, fanlike spines and fins.
Join REEF for an evening of eating and entertainment at Piccolo Ristorante. The event will include a four course tapas style lionfish dinner, complimentary wine and beer, lionfish education, filleting demonstration, and cooking instruction by Piccolo's very own Chef Andres Avayu.