| Proactive Lionfish Alert Network - P.L.A.N. Honduras |
What is the problem with lionfish
Although they are visually attractive, they are not endemic to the Atlantic. They were originally introduced in 1992 after an aquarium spilled into the ocean during Hurricane Andrew releasing six lionfish. Now, they have invaded the waters from North Carolina to Columbia and with no natural predator they are quickly taking over the reefs, reeking havoc on the stocks of juvenile fish around the Caribbean. In one study it is reported that lionfish caused a 79% reduction in the number of juvenile fish on the reefs where they were being studied. Other studies have observed lionfish eating up to 20 fish in 30 minutes demonstrating how voracious these predators can be.
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The species reproduces frequently facilitating their rapid spread across the Atlantic
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Aside from their voracious feeding habits, lionfish represent a very real threat to divers, snorkelers, and swimmers because of their venomonous spines |
In the Bahamas there are now over 390 lionfish per hectare and they have become one of the dominant species on their reefs. In an effort to control populations locals there are being encouraged to eat them as they taste pretty good, being compared to grouper or halibut. However this isn't going to replace the valuable fish stocks that these hunters are devouring.
Part of the problem is their increased breeding habits. In the Pacific, where the lionfish is naturally found they only breed once a year but here in the Atlantic, the fish have been observed breeding at an astonishing rate of once a month. A single female will release 30,000 eggs at a time, which, once fertilized, will float with the currents for up to 45 days.
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This is how the fish we have around Utila arrived and it is likely that they will continue to arrive in the same fashion from more established populations around the Caribbean. Our best chance at containing the problem will be to work together as a community to eradicate as many as possible before they reach maturity and begin breeding here too.
Why is this a problem for Utila?
Fish populations, in particular herbivorous fish such as parrotfish are already found in lower numbers around Utila than biologists recommend for healthy reefs. A further reduction in juvenile populations of important grazing fish by these unselective predators could exacerbate the existing problem of algal dominance; a process where by macroalgae replaces corals as the main cover on reefs habitats.
In addition such rapid and drastic reductions in the populations of small reef fish would cause direct competition and deprive other local reef predators of important food sources, in particular the smaller grouper species which are already threatened by overfishing .
Whilst it is a complex problem it is important to remember lionfish are not from the Caribbean and the local reefs are already under pressure from multiple threats. Invasive species have a long history of upsetting ecological balances and in fragile systems this could have very serious consequences with potential knock-on effects to industries that rely on the reef such as tourism and fishing.
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PLAN
In order to prevent the damage caused by the spread of this invasive species onto Honduran reefs the Proactive Lionfish Alert Network or PLAN was established to provide an early response during the first stages of their arrival and remove them quickly before they become established.
A further aim of PLAN Honduras is to raise awareness of the Lionfish as an invasive species and the potential damage they can cause. As part of PLAN Honduras, UCME implemented an alert network around Utila to report sightings, answer questions and provide information on treatment of Lionfish stings.
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To date the removal of every lionfish has unfortunately not occurred due to issues out of our control such as larval and egg distribution via ocean currents . The campaign for community awareness has however been a great success with all the dive shops participating as well as local Utilians.
Through their involvement UCME is continuing to contribute to a database recording information on their distribution, size and stomach contents, which helps investigate the feeding habits of these fish. We are also promoting the capture and consumption of lionfish to the dive industry and local Utilians in order to control their population around Utila.
UCME are sharing their information with the Roatan Marine Park, NOAA , TNC and REEF so that further research can be conducted on a larger scale for the whole the Caribbean. We hope that divers will continue to report and catch lionfish around Utila and that we are able to control the inevitable spread of this invasive species.
If anyone has any information on possible sightings, or questions regarding treatment of stings and about the Lionfish invasion in general please contact us. |
