Controlling Lion Fish Invasion in the Caribbean

• No donations have been received during this period.
• A spanish version of the Lionfish Management and Control Manual has been published, and can be downloaded from http://www.gcfi.org/index.php (lion fish resources section)
• Lionfish continues to be marketed in several restaurants and supermarkets in the country.
• The sucess of the lionfish control program in DR was shared during the First ciguatoxic risk assessment in lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the Guadeloupean archipelago and commercial prefiguration in the FWI. This workshop was supported by the Fisheries Committee of Guadeloupe (CRPMEM), in collaboration with the Regional Activity Center for the Protocol on Specially Protected Areas and Wildlife (SPAW-RAC), on 10&11 July 2013 in Guadeloupe, FWI. This workshop is convened within the context of a project coordinated by CRPMEM that aims to assess the feasibility of promoting lionfish consumption and commercial fishing in Guadeloupe, St Martin and St Barthelemy. Analysis of the risk of it being contaminated by ciguatera has been undertaken.This workshop will present the final results of those studies and the opportunities to promote lionfish fishing and consumption. The workshop will be attended by local fishermen and stakeholders, and we wish to open it to representatives of neighboring countries (key managers, regional coordinators and fisheries officers from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominican Republic, St Martin, St Barth, Netherland Islands, WECAFC Barbados, CRFM, CANARI Trinidad..) also affected by the problem of ciguatera to share their experiences and exchange on this important issue for the future of local fisheries

Controlling Lion Fish Population in the Caribbean

February – April 2013 Progress Report

During February and April, total donations received were $130, we thank donors for their support, and ask more people to contribute to what is being a real solution to the invasion of Lion Fish, results to date show a drastic decline in their population.

Reef Check trained volunteers and the Barracudas volunteer team have continued to conduct regular control dives in search for lionfish in La Caleta Marine Park. Also, La Caleta Fishermen Cooperative is regularly catching and selling lionfish to local restaurants to support the national strategy to include that invasive fish in local menus. They have obtained thousands of pesos in revenue to the sell of lionfish to restaurants, to the point of not providing enough products and having to buy from other locations for re-sell.

Another lionfish tournament was organized by Sea Savers DR, from Carol Morgan School in Santo Domingo. 6 Teams entered the water in La Caleta Marine Park to get the most lionfish, the biggest lionfish, and the smallest lionfish, for a very good prize, and also enjoy with family and friends their catch. A great way to get people involved in the solution. More info on their work at: http://sea-savers.blogspot.com

Reef Check DR received a group of volunteers from Chicago (http://cr2chicago.weebly.com/index.html) to learn scuba diving, also how to determine the health of the reef using the reef check protocol, and to learn how to safely catch lion fish.

Aside from El Nacional supermarket, which is now selling lionfish regularly. Another chain is getting ready to launch the lionfish offer to the general public.

After El Vesubio Malecon restaurant joined efforts with Badui Restaurant, to have humans consume lionfish as a control measure, other restaurants are joining as well, La Boheme started with a delicious dish based on lionfish and mofongo, then Mitre, and Vesubio Tiradentes. At the end of this period, Asia Mia restaurant (newly opened) has lionfish all over their menu right form their start of operations.

For more information visit:

reefcheckdr.org

Links:

• Reef Check DR website
• sea savers DR
• Chicago coral restoration