Most of you have probably heard about, or seen,
the lionfish by now; but let’s start from the beginning of the invasion. Invasive lionfish (Pterois
volitans and P. miles) have spread from their native range in the western
Pacific and Indian Oceans to aquariums around the world because of their
desirability as an aquarium fish. Throughout the 1990’s and early 2000’s,
lionfish have progressed from a few introduced individuals in south Florida (by
careless aquarists) to establishing themselves northward in the South Atlantic
Bight, the Caribbean Sea and, more recently (2010), the Gulf of Mexico. Lionfish
in the Indo-Pacific are medium sized reef fish, reaching 9 inches on average
and are notorious for their venomous dorsal, anal, and pelvic spines. The venom can deliver a very painful injury
to the unwary, so care must be taking when approaching and handling this
species (picture below).
Since lionfish are
not native to this region, predatory marine animals and parasites have been
slow to identify lionfish as a potential host or food source. Other
characteristics that have led to the success of this species are its’ enormous,
unspecified appetite and fast growth rate.
Lionfish in their invaded range become sexually mature, and can reach
sizes up to 10 inches, within their first year.
Unlike other native species like snapper, grouper, and jacks, that only
spawn a few months out of the year, lionfish can spawn year-round and undergo
distant larval dispersal, the main reasons for their rapid spread and
establishment. Lionfish have reached
higher densities and larger sizes in their invaded range, as well as expanded
from shallow patch reef habitat to seagrass, mangrove, estuaries, deep reefs
(~1000ft), artificial structures, and hard bottom habitats.
Unfortunately,
almost nothing is known about the potential impacts this invasive species could
have on indigenous organisms residing in Florida’s coastal waters. Studies in the Caribbean suggest lionfish can
diminish native species recruitment by 80% and biomass by 60%. It is unclear if
these startling statistics are applicable to our commercially and
recreationally important species here in the U.S., which are already under a
great amount of stress. Alex Fogg, a Masters student at the University of
Southern Mississippi and MaryKate Swenarton, a Masters student at the
University of North Florida, are both working concurrently to better describe
lionfish life history in their given study regions (Gulf of Mexico and the
southern South Atlantic Bight respectively). This information, especially diet
data, will provide regional fisheries managers with accurate information on
fisheries impacts and reproductive and growth data will provide recommendations
for removal and mitigation. Our research relies heavily on recreational divers
for sample collection; divers spear lionfish for sport, for the current market
(limited), and in lionfish hunting competitions called derbies. Derbies are a
great way for different stakeholders to become involved in the removal of this
destructive species, while competing for prizes and consuming this delicious
fish. For more on derbies coming up in Florida see www.reef.org/lionfish/derbies
and eat more lionfish!
See link for video and additional information:
No comments:
Post a Comment