Documenting the Invasion of Lionfish in Florida’s Waters and Management Efforts to Control Them Image credit: Image Bryan Fluech 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 13 2 3 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 credit: Anna Clark 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 .