Venomous Lionfish invades coastal waters

Native to the tropical Indo-Pacific region, lionfish are often kept in both public and private aquariums. Since 2000, however, lionfish have been observed, primarily by SCUBA divers in coral, rocky and artificial reefs along the southeast coast of the U.S., from Florida to North Carolina and also throughout the Bahamas, Bermuda and Cuba. In more recent years lionfish have also been caught by bottom fishing anglers. Scientists expect lionfish to continue to disperse throughout the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys. There is also increasing concern among fishery scientists that lionfish, having no natural enemies, may adversely impact natural fish populations. In addition, this fish has venomous spines and may pose a danger to divers and anglers alike. NOAA would like to encourage fishermen to be extremely cautious and avoid contact with the venomous spines of the lionfish and to help us spread the word to other anglers.

If an angler does get ‘stung’ by the venomous spines, (all the spines are venomous, see figure above) they are advised to immerse wound in hot water for 30 – 90 minutes and seek medical attention as soon as possible. Hook and line or fishing related lionfish catches can be reported to NOAA by emailing to reportlionfish@noaa.gov or calling (252) 728-8714.

For additional information go to: http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/education/lionfish.html http://lionfish.eisf.org or google “lionfish outreach”

Anglers Brochure on Lionfish (Adobe PDF)

Evidence for invasion of the Lionfish (Adobe PDF)

Lionfish - Next Potential Threat to Eastern Seaboard of the US (Adobe PDF)

Scuba Divers Brochure on Lionfish (Adobe PDF)

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Related Links

• http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/02sab/logs/aug02/aug02.html
• http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/stories/lionfish/runins.html
• http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?fr=1&si=1050
• http://oceanica.cofc.edu/News/8%2003.htm
• http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20060909/bob9ref.asp