( WEST PALM BEACH) ----- Representative Allen West joined 20 divers on board the Loggerhead III this past Saturday, September 10th to help bring attention to the invasive lionfish problem on South Florida’s reefs, and see first-hand how local divers are attempting to control the population.
Lionfish began appearing in the eastern Atlantic several years ago, perhaps released from private fish collectors because they had grown too big for their aquariums. These natives of the Indo-Pacific are voracious eaters and have no natural predators in the eastern Atlantic, so their population has skyrocketed. Divers have taken it upon themselves to try to control the population – encouraging spearing (and eating). They are very flamboyant fish with numerous venomous fins, so they have to be handled carefully.
“Our local reefs are an incredible natural resource and their health is vitally important not only for the creatures who live on them, but for our tourism industry,” West said. “As a diver, I have a profound appreciation for our underwater ecosystem, and I’m glad my fellow divers have taken it upon themselves to be guardians of the reef.”
Divers using small spears successfully bagged five lionfish on the trip. Some divers preferred to snip the venomous spines off underwater, while others put the fish into thick plastic bags and cleaned them once back on dry land. The divers enjoyed a taste of fresh, grilled lionfish around the pool at the Scuba Club after the dive.
Lionfish began appearing in the eastern Atlantic several years ago, perhaps released from private fish collectors because they had grown too big for their aquariums. These natives of the Indo-Pacific are voracious eaters and have no natural predators in the eastern Atlantic, so their population has skyrocketed. Divers have taken it upon themselves to try to control the population – encouraging spearing (and eating). They are very flamboyant fish with numerous venomous fins, so they have to be handled carefully.
“Our local reefs are an incredible natural resource and their health is vitally important not only for the creatures who live on them, but for our tourism industry,” West said. “As a diver, I have a profound appreciation for our underwater ecosystem, and I’m glad my fellow divers have taken it upon themselves to be guardians of the reef.”
Divers using small spears successfully bagged five lionfish on the trip. Some divers preferred to snip the venomous spines off underwater, while others put the fish into thick plastic bags and cleaned them once back on dry land. The divers enjoyed a taste of fresh, grilled lionfish around the pool at the Scuba Club after the dive.
Rep. West Dives to Bring Attention to Lionfish Problem on South Florida's Reefs
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