Lionfish control manual now available on-line

Scientists from NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science have created the first ever guidelines for coastal managers to control the spread of invasive lionfish that are taking food and habitat from native fish that are important to the local ecology and economy.  

Lionfish have no natural predators and are now found in waters from North Carolina south to Florida, the Caribbean, and all Gulf of Mexico states.

This new manual, Invasive Lionfish: A Guide to Control and Management includes the best available science and practices for controlling lionfish in marine protected areas, national parks, and other conservation areas.

The guide is available free online.

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 it’s 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.

In Florida, harvesting lionfish does not 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.

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