By Karen Pannocchia | Exective Director Reef Check Dominican Republic
Reef Check Dominican Republic is pushing the “Comete un leon” ( Eat a Lion) campaign, which has been very popular among different social media outlets, educating more the Dominican Republic on this topic. i.e.
With the donations from Global Giving, Reef Check DR, has managed to arrange one of the top restaurants in the city VESUVIO (www.vesuvio.com.do) to purchase lion fish, when available, from the Cooperative COOPRESCA. Thus, providing a better management practice within fishing zone areas, by economically benefiting fishing the invasive and destructive species in Dominican waters verses any other.
Likewise, by having Vesuvio offering Lion Fish in its menu, individuals are rapidly taking a liking to it and learning about the issue from a mouth-to-mouth standpoint. Subsequently, many other restaurants in the city are doing the same.
The Cooperative COOPRESCA’s formation was part of Reef Check DRs main objectives during the earlier phases of the co management process of La Caleta Submarine National Park. By making COOPRESCA the main stakeholders of the El Carey Aquatic Center, conservation efforts are more likely to be respected given the sensibility it creates among the community members.
In addition, Reef Check DR still undertakes monthly Lion Fish control dives at the Submarine National Park, using volunteers and the equipment purchased by the funds provided through Global Giving.
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