MITIGATION
Lionfish could become one of the most sustainable
and edible fish in the world. An endless supply of tasty, white, buttery meat that needs removal anyways. Talk about a win-win situation!!
We at the Caribbean Lion Fish Coalition understand there will not be a complete eradication of the lionfish species, but we do believe the populations can be controlled.
We are optimistic that this problem is completely solvable.
Education
It all begins with education about this invasive species. Holding seminars and educational workshops are a great way to bring local dive shops, dive operators, and fishermen together to address this issue. The more people understanding the problem, the more likely they will be able to take action and continue to remove this species anytime they are found at the reefs.
Cull Tournaments
Cull tournaments and fishing derbies are a fun and exciting way to remove hundreds of lionfish in one weekend. These are beneficial in removing large quantities of lionfish from the reefs as well as in bringing money straight into the economy of the hosting country. Local dive boats, dive shops, hotels, restaurants, and bars all directly benefit from these fun events.
Bring It to Market
We believe financial incentive is the best motivator. We are continuing to nurture new markets for the sale of lionfish here in the US, all the while connecting local restaurants with fishers in their local areas. Without these avenues, there is no need for locals to go out and harvest these pests every day. Working alongside fishing co-ops, local restaurants, and local governments could yield incredible results in the continued response to this problem.
THE BOUNTY
It is hard to imagine solving this problem without some real financial incentive. We believe that paying a bounty is a great way to encourage locals to go out and harvest these tasty invaders. We are working with governments to introduce the idea of matching small bounties with us. This may only apply in certain areas, but we believe they should be everywhere. Stay tuned for more details!
