Why in the world would someone want this beautiful fish dead?
Well, they haven’t quite learned to share or play nice.
The lionfish is an invasive species native to the Pacific and Indian Oceans that has spread from North Carolina across the Caribbean devouring any reef fish in its path.
It is believed that aquarium owners in Florida began dumping lionfish into the ocean in the mid 80’s. Because there is no natural lionfish predator in the Atlantic, they’ve been reproducing and spreading like wildfire.
The main issue with the unnatural migration of these fish is that they are killing off too many other species that play vital roles in keeping the Atlantic and Caribbean reefs clean.
In light of this predicament, the island of Bonaire is fighting to protect and preserve the reefs.
Bonaire is located off the coast of Venezuela and the reefs surrounding it are on the bucket lists of many scuba divers, but the lionfish is threatening these reef ecosystems.
Pepe Mastropaola developed a course for the Professional Association of Diving Institute that would teach divers how to hunt lionfish without disrupting or harming the reefs or other species inhabiting them.
Patrick Lyons, a professor at the Council on International Education Exchange, says, “Hunting is the only effective method of controlling the lionfish population.”
Lyons also stated, “We’re certainly keeping their numbers low, and the numbers are much lower than other places where they’re not being actively hunted.”
In places like Aruba, where nothing is being done, lionfish populations are over 10 times their natural levels.
Don’t worry, the Bonaire lionfish hunters are not wasting any of their kills. Each week the restaurant at the Buddy Dive Resort hosts a lionfish dinner that has become quite popular.
Source: northcountrypublicradio.org