This seminal publication was created by REEF and our collaborators at NOAA, ICRI, the United Nations Environment Programme, Caribbean Environment Programme, SPAW-RAC, and the over 40 participants of the 2010 Caribbean Regional Lionfish Workshop. The guide provides best practices for lionfish control and management, including control strategies, outreach and education, research, monitoring, legal considerations, and ideas for securing resources and partnerships.



Join Portofino Diver Academy for their first annual Lionfish Hunt in partnership with REEF Environmental Education Foundation!



The Lionfish is an invasive species that is decimating native fish in Florida waters. Join us on December 11, 2016 for a special workshop, hunting dive and a delicious lionfish cookout.


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.

 

This workshop is intended for dive professionals and avid recreational divers interested in obtaining a permit to collect lionfish in the Sanctuary Preservation Areas. These workshops are sponsored by REEF and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The workshop presentation will cover the history and progression of the invasion, an overview of lionfish biology and ecology, safe handling and collection techniques, and first aid.

More information at www.REEF.org/lionfish/workshops.

Masked Hamlet photo by Ellie Place

REEF Fishinars are fun, live, interactive webinars, open to anyone who wants to learn about ocean life. We hope you can join one of our upcoming sessions!

Unique Fish of the Cayman Islands: Join REEF’s Director of Science, Christy Semmens, on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 8pm Eastern to learn more about some of the unique and interesting fish that you can find while diving in the Cayman Islands.

We are thrilled to have teamed up with Waterlust, an eco-clothing company, to create an invasive lionfish collection as their newest line of advocate apparel. The brand-new lionfish line is available on Waterlust's website and includes leggings, an athletic top, a sun suit, and headband. 10% of profits from the sale of the lionfish collection will be donated to REEF. Waterlust products are extremely high quality and are made from environmentally-conscious materials.

This article highlights the effectiveness of lionfish derbies in the Florida Keys, including the recent Earth Day Lionfish Derby where winning team Forever Young swept all three prize categories - most lionfish, largest, and smallest.

 

This workshop is intended for dive professionals and avid recreational divers interested in obtaining a permit to collect lionfish in the Sanctuary Preservation Areas. These workshops are sponsored by REEF and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The workshop presentation will cover the history and progression of the invasion, an overview of lionfish biology and ecology, safe handling and collection techniques, and first aid.

More information at www.REEF.org/lionfish/workshops.

The next workshop will be hosted at Mote Marine Lab in Summerland Key on Wednesday October 24th, and will consist of a morning classroom session and afternoon dives with Captain Hook’s Strike Zone Charters in Big Pine Key. The workshop will begin at 9 AM, and will include background on the invasion, lionfish biology, ecological impacts, current research, collecting and handling techniques and much more! Attendees can obtain a permit to collect lionfish within the Sanctuary Preservation Areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary using hand nets only.

 

 

As part of REEF;s ongoing research partnership studying lionfish in the tropical Atlantic, we have 2 rooms left (up to 4 people) for our May 11-17 project in Nassau.

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