I have always considered myself a “tree hugger”, but not an activist, supporting environmental causes without taking up a banner and marching. Well as I dive more and more in our local dive spots off the North Carolina coast as well as unique locations in the Caribbean and beyond I am struck by the impact of man on our undersea world. From dead coral heads in Florida to the lack of any large fish on an otherwise beautiful Dominican reef, the touch of man’s hand is evident. Now comes the Lionfish; native to the Indo-Pacific proliferating in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It is controversial how this interesting fish came to this part of the world, most likely they were released from somebody’s fish tank in the 1990’s. The problem is this ain’t just any fish. The lionfish is a voracious carnivore consuming all manner of small or juvenile reef fish and crustaceans. Scientists from Oregon State University conducting studies of controlled plots determined that lionfish reduced young juvenile fish populations by 79 percent in only five weeks.

Natural predators in the Atlantic are scarce, in the Pacific other fish have learned to avoid the lionfish and there are some natural predators such as large groupers and possibly sharks. In the Atlantic native fish are not aware of the danger and about the only thing that will eat a lionfish is another lionfish. Seems they are not only aggressive carnivores, but also cannibals.

In the wild lionfish are easily identified by their large fan-like fins, red and white zebra stripes and aggressive posture. They seem fearless and will often swim right up to divers. From a distance the fish looks sort of like a white powder puff and 5 or 6 years ago you would rarely see one on a North Carolina wreck. Now as you descend in clear conditions wrecks are spotted with powder puffs. Those fins camouflage up to 18 needle-like spines packed with venom that can deliver a painful sting. Deaths have occurred in victims with heart conditions or severe allergic reactions.

Not only are these fish hearty eaters, but they are fast breeders as well. Fish mature quickly and a mature female can have several spawning cycles per year releasing up to 30,000 eggs per cycle.

I recently attended a program discussing long-term strategies to control the current population and prevent further spread. There is on-going research being done and volunteers are needed to help. The good news is that lionfish are good eating and one strategy is to encourage local restaurants to serve lionfish on the menu. Of course convincing and training fishermen to catch and prepare lionfish is a hurdle.

In my mind it is time for action. The only solution is to kill lionfish. I listened to the scientists at this conference try to be politically correct and talked about “more study is needed” and some animal rights groups were concerned about the manner in which these fish were being harvested for study and whether they were killed in a humane fashion. My suggestion is to get a pole spear with a barbless paralyzing tip and have at it. Stay as far away from the spines as you can. If you want to bring the catch to the surface for dinner you need to be very careful handling these fish dead or alive. A large mouthed heavy canvas bag may be effective to hold your catch and transport it to the surface. Spines can be cut off at the base with shears or the venom can be denatured using a propane torch. Fish can then be prepared like any other fish for cooking. Make sure you follow all local fishing regulations.

The bottom line – this is a true environmental emergency and the reality is we may not be able to control the problem, but it is time we gave it our best effort.

Good Hunting!

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