Divers successfully removed 531 invasive lionfish from Florida Keys waters on May 14, during the first event of the Second Annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby Series in Long Key, Fla., organized by Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF).
This year, divers in Florida will once again sharpen their spears, hone their lionfish hunting skills, and map out their fishing grounds to compete in REEF’s 2020 Lionfish Derby Series. Their mission: remove as many lionfish as possible to compete for cash and prizes, plus the satisfaction of protecting native fish species. Since 2010, more than 40,000 lionfish have been removed through REEF supported derbies. Lionfish removals are reducing population densities locally; let’s keep the pressure on and protect our fragile reefs.
This summer, divers and snorkelers from around the country came together to combat the invasive lionfish, vying for over $14,000 in total cash prizes. The series included derby events throughout Florida including Sarasota, the Upper Keys, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach County, as well as Lionfish Culinary Competitions in conjunction with the Sarasota and Palm Beach County derbies.
The first Bahamas Lionfish Derby, held on June 6 at the Green Turtle Club in Abaco, was a great success on many fronts. This test case for the Bahamas government was the first to allow (by special permit) the use of compressed air and spearing to remove lionfish in a derby type event. Organized by Abaco and Palm Beach resident Bobbie Lindsay and REEF, the one-day event drew 26 registered teams and brought in 1, 408 lionfish. Over $5,000 in prize money was awarded including $2,000 for the most fish by any team – 289 by team White Roach from Abaco.
REEF's 16th annual Florida Keys Lionfish Derby will culminate on Sunday April 27, 2025 at the which will include a lionfish weigh-in and awards and conservation science and arts festival open to the public at the REEF campus.
Please contact lionfish@REEF.org with questions
Unfortunately, REEF’s Winter Lionfish Derby Event at Sharkey’s Pub and Galley for April 4, 2020 has been cancelled. We have exhausted the options of hosting a remote competition where teams can just drop off their fish, but at this time we are going adhere to the recommendations worldwide and encourage social distancing.
We will try to reschedule the Lionfish Derby competition in some capacity if possible in the upcoming months.
REEF's 12th annual event will include two full days of lionfish fishing culminating in a family-friendly festival at picturesque Postcard Inn Resort & Marina. The festival is open to the public and will include Lionfish scoring, fillet and dissection demonstrations, Lionfish tastings, Lionfish games and crafts, raffle prizes, and other activities and products from 30 environmentally-minded vendors. Chefs will be providing lionfish cooking demonstrations and special dishes and drink special will be available.
Thursday, September 7 - Key Dives, 79851 Overseas Hwy, Islamorada, FL 33036
