Derby sets record for most lionfish caught during a Florida Keys derby, and most lionfish harvested by a single team

KEY LARGO, FLA. – Last week, 18 teams of scuba divers took to the water and collected 919 invasive lionfish during the 2022 Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival, hosted by Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF). Teams fished from sunrise to sunset on Friday, Sept. 9 and Saturday, Sept. 10. The event concluded on Sunday, Sept. 11 at Postcard Inn Resort & Marina in Islamorada, with an outdoor festival featuring lionfish tastings, cooking and dissection demos, games, interactive booths, and live music.

KEY LARGO, FLA. – In spite of Tropical Storm Sally’s unexpected appearance over south Florida, 23 teams took to the water this weekend, bringing in a total of 1,321 invasive lionfish during the 2020 Upper Keys Lionfish Derby; the most fish ever harvested at a REEF Lionfish Derby held in the Florida Keys. Teams were permitted to fish anywhere in Florida, from sunrise to sunset on Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12. More than $4,000 in cash and prizes was awarded to teams who brought in the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.

Last month, 22 teams of scuba divers took to the water and collected 1,898 invasive lionfish during the 14th Annual REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival. Derby teams fished from sunrise to sunset on Friday, Sept. 8 and Saturday, Sept. 9. On Sunday, Sept. 10, participants gathered at Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina in Islamorada for a community celebration. The festival featured lionfish tastings, cooking and dissection demos, games, interactive booths, and live music.

In spite of Tropical Storm Sally’s unexpected appearance over south Florida, 23 teams brought in 1,321 invasive lionfish during the 2020 Upper Keys Lionfish Derby – the most fish ever harvested at a REEF Lionfish Derby held in the Florida Keys. Teams were permitted to fish anywhere in Florida, from sunrise to sunset on Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12. More than $4,000 in cash and prizes was awarded to teams who brought in the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.

12th annual event a stunning success thanks to derby teams, festival attendees, and event volunteers

KEY LARGO, FLA. – Fourteen teams of divers persevered through last weekend’s windy conditions to bring in 494 invasive lionfish during the 2021 Earth Day “Locals” Lionfish Derby. Teams were permitted to fish in Monroe County waters from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, April 24. More than $2,500 in cash and prizes was awarded to teams who brought in the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.

Fourteen teams of divers persevered through windy conditions to bring in 494 invasive lionfish during the 2021 REEF Earth Day “Locals” Lionfish Derby. Teams were permitted to fish in Monroe County waters from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, April 24. More than $2,500 in cash and prizes was awarded to teams who brought in the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.

Join REEFs 2023 Florida Keys Lionfish Sweeps! 

Steady removal of Lionfish from our local reefs can help protect native fish species & ensure a balanced ecosystem

Participants can remove Invasive Lionfish from April to June 2023 for entry into cash raffles & final cash prizes and donate the fish to REEF's Education & Outreach Programs

To Participate Drop off lionfish between April 1 to June 30, 2023 at:

REEF Campus, Key Largo, FL 9AM-5PM Monday-Friday each week

During last month's REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival, twenty teams fished from sunrise to sunset for two days, and ultimately collected 1,215 invasive lionfish. The event concluded on Sunday, Sept. 12 at Postcard Inn Resort & Marina in Islamorada, with an outdoor festival featuring lionfish tastings, cooking and dissection demos, games, interactive booths, and live music.

Pages