Lionfish On The Menu?
BY VANESSA C. ROLLE -
Nassau, Bahamas:
The venomous lionfish, an invasive predator with a taste for immature grouper and lobster, is starting to show up on Bahamian menus, and marine biologist Dr. Stefan Harzen does not think that’s a bad idea.
Dr. Harzen said during his $150,000 expedition to explore the waters off Petersen’s Cay in Grand Bahama in a quest to create t
Lionfish Concerns Linger -
By Kendea Jones:
Nassau, Bahamas:
Department of Fisheries officials are still looking for ways to deplete the population of lionfish in Bahamian waters, a species that threatens the well being of the coral reefs.
Lionfish are native to the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, but also live in coral regions of the Eastern Atlantic and the Caribbean. They are
The Radiata Lionfish, also known as the Clearfin Lionfish, or Tailbar Lionfish, has red, white, and black vertical stripes along the body; large, fan-like pectoral fins; and tall, quill-like dorsal fins.
A 30 gallon or larger aquarium with numerous hiding places is suitable. It will hide while acclimating to its new environment. The top spines are [...]
Dendrochirus zebra is known as the Zebra Lionfish or Dwarf Lionfish. It has red, white, and black vertical stripes along the body; large, fan-like pectoral fins; and tall, quill-like dorsal fins.
A 30 gallon or larger aquarium with numerous hiding places is suitable. It will hide while acclimating to its new environment. The top spines are [...]
The Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish, is also called the Shortfin Lionfish or simply the Dwarf Lionfish. It has red, white, and black vertical stripes along the body with large, fan-like pectoral fins and tall, quill-like dorsal fins. The Fuzzy Dwarf Lionfish is appropriately named because of its full fins. Dendrochirus zebra may also be called the [...]
Lionfish, a Pacific Ocean species, are invading the Atlantic Ocean with serious consequences for native reef species. As an invasive species, lionfish have no known natural predators, and feed heavily on native reef species. Furthermore, genetic studies show that possibly all lionfish come from fewer than ten individuals.
Burmese pythons have become a similar [...]
One of our favourite underwater encounters is with the many different lionfish that inhabit our waters.
Coming in all sizes, these beautiful fish are a highlight on any dive or snorkel – and we’ve been lucky enough to spot several recently.
As they waltz gracefully around the coral bommies, it almost looks as though they’re posing for photos!
Lionfish Proliferation:
By Macushla N. Pinder -
Nassau, Bahamas:
Increasing in numbers, the venomous lionfish has already reportedly spread to parts of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean and as far north as the Carolinas as well as in Bermuda.
But local fisheries officials feel they may have the answer to keeping those numbers at manageable level.
Citing an article in the December issue of Dive Training magazine, Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, Larry Cartwright said one way to combat the lionfish might be to give it economic value as food source.
"In North Carolina, they are been caught in sufficient quantity such that some fishermen have started including them in boxes of mixed catch sold skinned and filleted at a discounted price
Lionfish Threatening Industry:
By Macushla N. Pinder -
Nassau, Bahamas:
Marine officials are seriously concerned about the growing numbers of the venomous lionfish in Bahamian waters, which the Deputy Director of Marine Resources has insisted could jeopardize the local fishing sector.
According to Edison Deleveaux, Bahamians have recently encountered the lionfish on a very frequent basis, an indication that the species has become "very common" in The Bahamas.
There is also the issue of the species having no natural predators in the Atlantic Ocean.
"The information we have is that they have been observed eating our commercially viable species like grunts and groupers and these are matters which are still being investigated."
"If these stories are true, this can have a profound impact on our commercial fishing industry, in that they are feeding on the various species that form the basis of this sector."
The local fishing sector brought in $92 million last year and $100 million in
