Round ‘Em Up: Lionfish Derbies

REEF now sponsors “lionfish derbies” with divers searching for and hunting down lionfish. In July at the Bahamas’ Green Turtle Cay, contestants captured 941 lionfish in just two days. The biggest one caught was 19 inches long and weighed four pounds. The only good news is that the number of lionfish caught was down from last year’s derby high of 1,400-plus fish. “Awareness is much higher than last year, and Bahamians and visitors alike are spearing lionfish whenever they see them,” says Akins.

Last month in Key Largo, 100 divers rounded up 534 lionfish. Participating dive teams can win $1,000 for capturing the most lionfish, and $500 for bringing back the biggest one. Afterwards, the captured fish are sent to the kitchen and brought back as dinner, either fried or in citrus ceviche. The next Keys Lionfish Derby will be October 16 in Marathon, followed by November 13 in Key West. Go to REEF’s website at http://www.reef.org/lionfish/derbies for details.