FWC relaxes rules on fishing for invasive lionfish

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has removed some of the regulations covering fishing for lionfish in state waters so that more people will do it.

Lionfish are an invasive species – they are native to the Indian and Pacific oceans but are showing up in greater numbers in Florida waters.

Lionfish are voracious eaters and its feared that they could damage native recreational and commercial fish populations.
Lionfish have red and white stripes and fanlike fins that resemble a lion's mane.
They also have a tall row of spines that you need to be careful about because they are extremely poisonous.

At a special event this week the FWC said that harvesting invasive lionfish will no longer require a fishing license when using a pole spear, a Hawaiian sling, a handheld net or any spearing device that is specifically designed and marketed exclusively for lionfish.

There is also no recreational or commercial bag limit for the species.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hopes that by increasing the opportunity for people to harvest invasive lionfish, they can limit the impact the species has on Florida’s marine fish and wildlife


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