Simba of the Indo-Pacific

The various methods used to control the lionfish are interesting as companies are creating competitions and derbies to eradicate the lionfish species, but are also giving cash incentives to appeal to persons more to make them more interested. A very close friend of mine who is studying in New York knows someone studying Marine Biology and more specifically, studied the lionfish. She said that she did diving and was taught to kill lionfish on sight. She also mentioned that when they use harpoons to kill lionfish, the sound it makes attracts sharks and these sharks, then feed on the lionfish! On hearing this, I went on to do further research and found this interesting video about persons further teaching sharks and eels to prey on lionfish! I also stumbled upon the REEF’s (Reef Environmental Education Foundation) official website, where they have information about lionfish derbies, educating persons on how important it is to get rid of the invasive species, lionfish-...

The term  invasive , used in much scientific literature,  implies damaging species that affect the natives.    The  Pterios Volitans  reduced 65%, on average, the biomass of native fish (small-sized fish) in coral reefs of The Bahamas in two years 1 . Mark Vermeij, a conservation biologist at the Caribbean Marine Biological Institute on the island of Curaçao mentioned that, “Quite quickly they were everywhere. They were like cockroaches.” The increase of these fish called for companies to create solutions to aid in controlling these fish. Proposed solutions to eradicate invasive species include: mechanical removal, biological control, or even chemical application 2 . The current strategies for lionfish population growth control – proposed by conservation non-governmental organizations and managers – work on physical removals through derbies and fishing tournaments 3 .  Photo by the REEF Fishing Tournament Photo by Bonai...

From the previous posts, we see that lionfish are insatiable predators with the potential of wiping out the fishes in our country’s coral reefs. While it is important to mention that extensive studies of predation on lionfish have not been reported, the apparent paucity of natural predators may be due, in part, to the defensive dorsal, anal, and pelvic spines of lionfish, which deliver potent venom that may be fatal to fishes 1 .  These fishes that are preyed on by the lionfish serve many different purposes in the coral reef ecosystems that they reside and also, for humans for economic value. How are these coral reef fishes important? ·         Lionfish have the potential to decrease the abundance of ecologically important species , such as parrotfishes and other herbivorous reef fishes, which are crucial for preventing seaweeds from overgrowing corals   2, 3 . ·          Also, other sp...