lionfish...lionfish caribbean seas lionfish is the common name given to two species of the...
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LIONFISH CARIBBEAN SEAS
Lionfish is the common name given to two species of the Scorpaenidae family, very similar to each other, namely red lionfish (Pterois volitans) and fire devilfish (Pterois miles), originating in the Indo-Pacific, which have invaded reef ecosystems in the Western Atlantic Ocean. They have a venomous system in the fins, consisting of 13 spines, 2 elongated and separated anal spines, and 2 pelvic spines, which present glands that secrete a neurotoxin. Due to its voracity and rapid expansion, lionfish are putting in danger many reef ecosystems in the Caribbean area, affecting several native fish populations whose fries are born and grow on the reefs, and not recognizing it as a predator, do not defend themselves against their attack. Since the appearance of the lionfish in the Americas, several countries have made efforts to control this invasive species that voraciously depletes marine biodiversity without any natural control, generating multiple negative impacts on marine ecosystems. Some promising results are already being seen and Slow Fish Caribe aims to connect similar initiatives in different countries like Colombia, Costa Rica and Barbados.
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1 and 3. Pterois is a genus of venomous marine fish, commonly named as lionfish.
2. The coral reef of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, the native area of the lionfish.
4. The map shows the massive increase of the lionfish population since its first appearance in 1985 in Florida. In 2010 it was already an established species along the U.S. Atlantic coast, Bermuda, Gulf of Mexico and the entire Carribean area.
5. Many national plans have been studied in order to control and manage the lionfish increasing population by setting a captures strategy, thus safeguarding the marine ecosystem.
6 and 7. An essential element of these management and control strategies has being the promotion of the lionfish’s consume. Starting with many chefs’ support, the local gastronomy adapted itself including this new species in restaurants’ menus and promoting its tasty
meat as a delicacy.8. A baked lionfish: promoting the consumption of
this species will help to take under control its rapid proliferation.
9. Many other activities have been supported for an integrated management of the lionfish: fishing and diving competitions, gastronomic festivals and also jewelry and art classes with the fish discards.
Phot
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this project is funded
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