Documenting the Invasion of LionfishImpacts of Lionfish Dense lionfish populations can consume more...
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Documenting the Invasion of Lionfish in Florida’s Waters and Management Efforts to Control Them Image credit: Bryan Fluech
Transcript of Documenting the Invasion of LionfishImpacts of Lionfish Dense lionfish populations can consume more...
Documenting the Invasion of Lionfish in Florida’s Waters and Management Efforts
to Control Them
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Scorpionfish Family
Two visually identical species found in the Southeastern U.S.
Devil Firefish (Pterois miles)
Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans)
Image credits: www.lionfishhunters.org
Native Distribution
Red Lionfish – Pterois volitans Devil Firefish – Pterois miles
Location of Venomous Spines
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Venomology
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Lionfish venom is a protein based neurotoxin and is contained in glandular venom tissue in grooves
along either side of each spine Image credit: Dawn Witherington
Lionfish Envenomation
Pain is immediate; intensifies over 60-90 minutes; may last 6-12 hours
Treatment involves covering the
wound with hot (not scalding) water; use of over-the-counter pain relievers
Victims should seek medical attention
Other symptoms might include ulceration of the wound site, headaches, nausea or diarrhea
“It won’t kill you, but it’ll make you wish you were
dead.”
Image Credit: Roxane Boonstra
Lionfish Invasion
First record : 1985 in Dania, FL
Aquarium releases or escapes are most likely sources of the invasion Over 60,000 imported into Florida
annually*
Mitochondrial data show no evidence of multiple independent introductions
Documenting the Invasion
Image credit: USGS
Lionfish Issues
Image credit: Florida Sea Grant
Year round reproduction
Can spawn every 2-4 days 20,000 – 30,000 eggs / spawn
Larvae dispersed by currents
Sexually mature within a year
Highly Productive
Egg Mass
Image credit: Dawn Witherington
High Individual Growth Rates
Grow faster and bigger than in native range Growth rates have been
documented as high as 1mm/day for juvenile fish
Native length: 12-15”
Gulf and Atlantic length: 16-22”
10-15 year life expectancy
Image credit: Bryan Fluech
High Densities
Lionfish have been documented at over 300 fish per hectare in their non-native environment
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Highly Predatory
Ambush predators
Able to consume prey more than ½ their length
Feeds on a variety of small fish and crustaceans
Stomach can expand up to 30x when feeding
Image credit: Brian Clark
Impacts of Lionfish
Dense lionfish populations can consume more than 460,000 prey fish/acre/year Caribbean-reduction of standing biomass of native reef
species by an average of 65%, with some sites showing a 95% decline in just a three year period*
Consumption of recreational/ commercial important species & ecologically important species
Direct competition with native species for food, space and shelter
Disruption/alteration of food webs and community structure
Generalized Habitat
Found in a number of shallow and deepwater environments Natural and manmade
Prefer high relief structure
Distribution thought to be limited by temperature, depth* and salinity
Image credit: USGS
Lack of Predators
Native Range: Cornetfish
Western Atlantic— isolated/anecdotal reports of predation by groupers, moray eels
Lab studies indicate that black sea bass, groupers , nurse sharks not willing to feed on lionfish
http://seahorsedna.org
Lionfish Management Eradication not likely BUT… population control possible
Image credit: Robert Turpin
Monitoring Efforts
http://www.reef.org/programs/exotic/report
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/sightingreport.aspx
Ongoing Research
Development/ application of lionfish specific traps Deep water control
Effort required to maintain control
on managed sites?
Lionfish in estuaries?
Genetic manipulation?
Broader ecological impacts? Regional differences
Larval recruitment?
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“If you Can’t Beat Them, Eat Them”
Lionfish Regulations
No size/bag limits
Fishing license not required when targeting lionfish with specific gear Use of rebreathers now allowed
Permits available for traditional no-take zones
Importation of live lionfish prohibited-Aug 1, 2014
Image credit: Florida Sea Grant
http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lionfish/
Selling Lionfish
Commercial saltwater products license required
www.myfwc.com/license
Click on “Commercial Saltwater Products”
2014–15 Saltwater Products License Application
$50 application fee
Can only sale to licensed wholesale dealers
Image credit: Naples spearfishing league
Outreach Materials
Final Thoughts
Lionfish are here to stay Future impacts?
Direct control, monitoring, marketing, education, regulations & research all necessary for successful management efforts
A lesson in personal stewardship
Thank You
Bryan Fluech Florida Sea Grant Agent County Extension Director UF/IFAS Collier County (239) 438-5594 [email protected] Image credit: NOAA
