Lionfish are the worst type of invasive species as they adapt to different salinities, breed very quickly, their inedible egg sacs float in the currents, they eat all native fish and crustaceans and they have no natural predators. Our purpose as their only true predator is to eliminate as many as possible at every depth accessible to divers and not only eat the meat but use the fins/spines to make jewelry and accessories. When lionfish spines fill pens or wear a piece of jewelry made with spines, you are spreading the word about the fight against an invasive species.
Lionfish were brought to Florida through the aquarium trade and when some were released around 1987 near Dania Beach they quickly multiplied. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew wiped out local fish stores that were selling lionfish, releasing more into the Atlantic. The spread of invasion now reaches Texas to the Bahamas and Venezuela to Maine.
I have been called an “Artivist” which fits me perfectly. I care deeply for the oceans and the animals that depend on it. Humans depend on the ocean not just as a food source but as our number one supplier of oxygen.
If you know of a place invaded by lionfish, please let us know your need for a lionfish removal team to help reduce the population.
