Documenting the Invasion of Lionfish in Florida’s Waters and Management Efforts
to Control Them
Image credit: Image BryanFluech Scorpionfish Family
Two visually identical species found in the Southeastern U.S.
Red Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Devil Firefish (Pterois miles)
Image credits: www.lionfishhunters.org Native Distribution
Red Lionfish – Pterois volitans Devil Firefish – Pterois miles Location of Venomous Spines
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Venomology
Image Image credit:REEF
Lionfish venom is a protein based neurotoxin and is contained in glandular venom tissue in grooves along either side of each spine Image credit: Dawn Witherington Lionfish Envenomation
Pain is immediate; intensifies “It won’t kill you, but it’ll over 60-90 minutes; may last make you wish you were 6-12 hours dead.”
Treatment involves covering the wound with hot (not scalding) water; use of over-the-counter pain relievers
Victims should seek medical attention
Other symptoms might include ulceration of the wound site, headaches, nausea or diarrhea
Image Credit: Roxane Boonstra Lionfish Invasion
First record : 1985 in Dania, FL
Aquarium releases or escapes are most likely sources of the invasion Over 60,000 imported into Florida annually*
Mitochondrial data show no evidence of multiple independent introductions
Documenting the Invasion
Image credit: USGS Lionfish Issues
Image credit: Florida Sea Grant Highly Productive
Year round reproduction Can spawn every 2-4 days 20,000 – 30,000 eggs / spawn Larvae dispersed by currents Sexually mature within a year Egg Mass
Image credit: Dawn Witherington High Individual Growth Rates
Grow faster and bigger than in native range Growth rates have been documented as high as 1mm/day for juvenile fish
Native length: 12-15” Gulf and Atlantic length: 16-22”
10-15 year life expectancy Image credit: Bryan Fluech
High Densities
Lionfish have been documented at over 300 fish per
hectare in their non-native environment
Image credit: Robert Turpin Robert credit: Image Highly Predatory
Ambush predators Able to consume prey more than ½ their length Feeds on a variety of small fish and crustaceans Stomach can expand up to 30x when feeding
Image credit: Brian Clark Impacts of Lionfish
Dense lionfish populations can consume more than 460,000 prey fish/acre/year Caribbean-reduction of standing biomass of native reef species by an average of 65%, with some sites showing a 95% decline in just a three year period*
Consumption of recreational/ commercial important species & ecologically important species
Direct competition with native species for food, space and shelter
Disruption/alteration of food webs and community structure
Generalized Habitat
Found in a number of shallow and deepwater environments Natural and manmade Prefer high relief structure
Distribution thought to be limited by temperature, depth* and salinity
Image credit: USGS
Lack of Predators
Native Range: Cornetfish Western Atlantic— isolated/anecdotal reports of predation by groupers, moray eels Lab studies indicate that black sea bass, groupers , nurse sharks not willing to feed on lionfish
http://seahorsedna.org Lionfish Management Eradication not likely BUT… population control possible
Image credit: Robert Turpin Direct Control
Monitoring Efforts
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/sightingreport.aspx http://www.reef.org/programs/exotic/report
Ongoing Research
Development/ application of lionfish specific traps Deep water control
Effort required to maintain control on managed sites?
Lionfish in estuaries?
Genetic manipulation?
Broader ecological impacts? Regional differences Clark Anna credit: Image Larval recruitment?
“If you Can’t Beat Them, Eat Them”
Lionfish Regulations
No size/bag limits
Fishing license not required when targeting lionfish with specific gear Use of rebreathers now allowed
Permits available for traditional no-take zones
Importation of live lionfish prohibited-Aug 1, 2014 Image credit: Florida Sea Grant
http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lionfish/
Selling Lionfish
Commercial saltwater products license required
www.myfwc.com/license Click on “Commercial Saltwater Products” 2014–15 Saltwater Products License Application $50 application fee
Can only sale to licensed wholesale dealers Image credit: Naples spearfishing league
Outreach Materials
New Lionfish Portal http://lionfish.gcfi.org/index.php Final Thoughts
Lionfish are here to stay Future impacts?
Direct control, monitoring, marketing, education, regulations & research all necessary for successful management efforts
A lesson in personal stewardship
Thank You
Bryan Fluech Florida Sea Grant Agent County Extension Director UF/IFAS Collier County (239) 438-5594 [email protected]
Image credit: NOAA