Managing invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) in the Western Atlantic Ocean is beyond the capacity of natural resource organizations alone. In response, organizations have mobilized members of the public and citizen scientists to help. The authors used a structured survey to assess the activities and perceptions of 71 organizations that engage the public and citizen scientists in lionfish research and management throughout the invaded range of the Western Atlantic.

Join REEF in a special presentation on the background of the lionfish invasion, biology and ecology of lionfish, impacts of the lionfish and current research findings as well collecting and handling tools and techniques. After attending the Saturday morning workshop, each participant is welcome to attend optional lionfish handling dives on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

In this early paper, staff from REEF and NOAA studied feeding ecology of the invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans). The authors collected stomach content data from fishes taken throughout the Bahamian archipelago. Three relative metrics of prey quantity, including percent number, percent frequency, and percent volume, were used to compare three indices of dietary importance. Lionfish largely prey upon teleosts (78% volume) and crustaceans (14% volume).

Join REEF in a special presentation on the background of the lionfish invasion, biology and ecology of lionfish, impacts of the lionfish and current research findings as well collecting and handling tools and techniques. After attending the Saturday morning workshop, each participant is welcome to attend optional lionfish handling dives on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

 

REEF is offering a lionfish workshop on June 15th at the Key Largo Library from 6:30 to about 8:00. All workshop participants will be eligible for a federal permit to collect lionfish, with nets or slurguns, from the no-take zones, the Sanctuary Preservation Areas (SPAs) in the FL Keys National Marine Sanctuary using nets. The permits will be issued a week or two following the workshop.

Join REEF in a special presentation on the background of the lionfish invasion, biology and ecology of lionfish, impacts of the lionfish and current research findings as well collecting and handling tools and techniques. After attending the Saturday morning workshop, each participant is welcome to attend optional lionfish handling dives on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

Funded by a grant through the US Fish and Wildlife Service, REEF’s Lionfish Program Coordinator, Elizabeth Underwood, will travel to cities throughout the Southeast United States to conduct a series of lionfish collecting and handling workshops. These workshops are meant to educate and engage stakeholders (recreational divers, professional divers, environmental groups, students, general public, etc.).

REEF Lionfish Jewelry Workshops create a market to promote lionfish removal from our coral reefs. Through participation in this workshop, you are helping to keep our oceans healthy, vibrant and lionfish free! Workshops are $30, run from 7-9pm, and include materials, instruction, wine or beer, cookies and a REEF glass. 

For more information and to find out about how to reserve your spot, please visist our lionfish jewelry workshop page. 

Did you know? Our Fishinar program has been going strong now for 6 years! In that time, we've put on over 120 Fishinars and recorded most of them for later viewing as a benefit of REEF membership. Our typical Fishinar lasts about an hour. Check out our Fishinar archives and you might find something you like!

REEF staff will be attending the fifth annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Festival, organized by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Emerald Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau. Activities will include fillet demonstrations; family-friendly games and activities; art, diving and conservation booths; and the world’s largest lionfish spearfishing tournament, the Emerald Coast Open. REEF will assist with lionfish scoring for the competition.

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