Florida's Frivolous Fight Against The Venomous Red Lionfish
by Kendra Martin
Florida has gained quite the reputation for being a free-for- all releasing ground for invasive species. From the falling green iguanas to the insanely large Burmese pythons slithering around the forests, there are many species of animals congregating where, perhaps, they shouldn’t be.This isn’t just a land animal issue. Much bigger problems are brewing under the surface along the coasts of Florida.Public enemy number one isn’t even a land dweller at all. It is the Pterois volitans, more commonly known as the Red Lionfish.
Cease on Release
Native to the Indo-Pacific area, these little buggers are a long way from home. It’s believed they were first introduced to the Atlantic Ocean in the 1980s. Like most invasive animals, they are theorized to be the result of an aquarium trade and owners with tanks releasing them into the wild.The problem? These guys have no natural predators in the Atlantic Ocean. They are highly venomous to other fish that try to eat them, thanks to the beautiful, spikey spines decorating their backs. They are also able to mate year-round, meaning they are beginning to outnumber, overeat, and outcompete native Florida aquatic life.Big yikes.
The Good News
Human intervention is the solution. How can we help?There are plenty of state-wide initiatives to decrease the Red Lionfish population. Whether this be competing in the Red Lionfish derby, diving for them, simply reporting them, or-- eating them?While these fish are venomous to other fish, they are safe to enjoy by humans when prepared properly and are quite the delicacy. They are bought in bulk from divers by the pound to serve in local Florida restaurants.Another way to contribute to the cause is by donating to pre-existing organizations, such as The Lionfish Extermination Corp in South Florida that make it their mission to look after Florida reefs.It's imperative that people understand what's at stake when invasive fish and animals are released into the wild. Humans may be the cause; however, we can also be the solution.
