FWC making it easier to target non-native Lionfish

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation are working on rules to stop the spread of lionfish in Florida waters.

Lionfish are a nonnative, invasive species that hurt Florida’s native saltwater fish and wildlife.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission last week agreed to consider rules that will not only make it harder to bring lionfish into the state but also easier to target lionfish when you’re diving.

The rules would prohibit the importation of live lionfish and prohibit the development of aquaculture of lionfish.

The proposal would allow divers to target lionfish while diving with a rebreather, which allows divers to remain in the water for longer periods of time; and would allow participants in approved tournaments and other organized events to spear lionfish in areas where spearfishing is generally not allowed.

The state already has rules that waive the recreational license requirement for divers harvesting lionfish using certain gear.

Florida also excludes lionfish from commercial and recreational bag limits, allowing people to take as many of the invasive fish as they can.

The new proposals will get a final vote at the FWC meeting in June in Fort Myers.

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