Akins, L.

Green, S.

Morris, J.A.

English

Aquatic Commons

 Proceedings of the 63rd Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute     November 1 - 5, 2010   San Juan, Puerto Rico 
 
Best Practices and Regional Strategies for Control of Invasive Lionfish 
 
KEY WORDS:  Lionfish, Pterois volitans/miles, management practices 
LAD AKINS1*, STEPHANIE GREEN2, and JAMES A. MORRIS, JR.3 
1Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), 98300 Overseas Hwy., Key Largo, Florida 33037 USA. *Lad@REEF.org. 
2Simon Fraser University (SFU), Department of Biology, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.  3National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service, Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat 
Research, 101 Pivers Island Road, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516 USA. 
 
 
Las Mejores Prácticas y Estrategias para la Eliminación y Control del Invasor Pez Leon 
 
PALABRAS CLAVE:  Pez Leon, Pterois volitans/miles, mejores prácticas 
 
 
Les meilleures pratiques et stratégies pour l'élimination et le contrôle  
d’un envahisseur, la Rascasse volante 
 
MOTS CLÉS:  Rascasse volante, Pterois volitans/miles, meilleures pratiques 
 
 
EXTENDED ABSTRACT 
Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) have successfully invaded western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of 
Mexico waters, and are the first non-native marine fish to become established in the region.  Lionfish have spread rapidly and 
recent studies indicate that, without intervention, the ecological and economic impacts of this venomous, predatory invader could be 
severe. With little to no infrastructure allocated to marine invasions, many countries in the Caribbean region have struggled to 
address the invasion and minimize its impacts to local marine systems. The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) 
working closely with NOAA, the USGS, and Simon Fraser University (SFU) has been working to transfer knowledge, build 
capacity, and help develop response plans throughout the region. These programs, conducted to date in 11 countries around the 
region, serve to increase awareness, disseminate accurate information on lionfish biology, ecology and impacts, incorporate hands on 
training in removal and handling techniques, and assist with impact study design. While there has been much demand and utility 
in developing local capacity, a broader perspective and increased communication at the regional level was needed. 
In August 2010, the International Coral Reef Initiative, in partnership with REEF, NOAA, Mexico, and France, organized a 
two day workshop in Cancun, Mexico, bringing together over 40 representatives from 20 countries, states and territories in the 
invaded range. Goals of the workshop were to establish a regional framework for communication and cooperative action. A 
key outcome of the workshop was establishment of an international writing team directed to develop a best practices document 
for addressing the lionfish invasion. This workshop represents the first effort to facilitate region-wide approaches for dealing 
with marine invasions. 
 
 
 
Figure 1.  Local workshop locations.                    Figure 2.  Regional workshop participants     Figure 3.  Workshop key issues 


Best Practices and Removal Strategies for Control of Invasive Lionfish.

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Best Practices and Removal Strategies for Control of Invasive Lionfish.

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