1. Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Centre -Kevin McIntyre
2. Overview General Invasive Species Why They are Problematic
Lionfish Lionfish Management
3. Invasive Species What is an Invasive Species? Throughout the
Kingdom Class Systems One of the most serious threats to the
environment and global economies. According to the US fish and
wildlife services - Invasive species cost the US more than
$120,000,000,000 a year
4. Why they are an issue? The environments they invade are
often fragile Brought as Biological Control Biologically Superior
Unbalanced Food Web Exponential Growth Rate Eventual Economic
Effects
5. Survival of the Fittest Genetically The Best of the Best
Capture. 200 Transport to American market. 150 Interim period in
tanks awaiting sale 100 Life in aquarium 50 Released Into Wild
25
6. Map of spread Severity of the Issue
7. #lionfishperhectare Bahamas Lionfish Densities in the
Invaded Range 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 1 Marquesas Red
Sea
8. Physiology
9. Reproduction Quick to reach sexual maturity Highly fecund
with a very fast reproduction cycle A female can produce many eggs
as a gelatinous mass which floats Juveniles grow very quickly
Exponential population increase
10. Habitats & Behavior Practically all Habitats
Temperature is the Primary Factor Slow Moving Ambush Predators
Rapid Growth Larger than Native Relatives Feed on +50 Species
11. Hunting
12. Diet
13. Top Predators Meso Predators Herbivores & Scavengers
Producers Impact on Ecosystem
14. Venomology & Stings Symptoms Sting Protocol First Aid
Diminish Pain Seek Advanced Medical Care
15. Lionfish Management Utila BICA Annual Derby Report
Sightings to REEF Biological Controls? Encourage Sustainable
Fishing! Get Involved! Spread the word! Take BICDs lionfish
program
16. Lionfish Program BICD Safety Importance of Buoyancy Control
Lionfish Spearing Making your Shot Count Containment On Boat
Protocol
17. Lionfishing Shark Encounter Testimonials Jon I always hope
to see a shark while lionfishing Tiger or Bull Unscrew the lid and
dump lionfish out Albert Chill Out If shark is aggressive - Keep it
in front and worst case poke the shark with the lionfish spear.
Steve Kill more lionfish to try and get more sharks Louise I would
start crying, panic uncontrollably and pray Louises Real Answer If
an aggressive shark (Bull or Tiger) was interested in the
container, I would place it on the ocean surface and letReal the it
investigate it. Then pick up container and leave. If it was a nurse
shark, I would push it away Apparently Divers love to see sharks at
any time!
18. Other sources Caribbean invasive alien species network
http://www.ciasnet.org/ National geographic, Lionfish
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/lionfish/ US
department of state, Invasive species
http://www.state.gov/e/oes/ocns/opa/marine/invasive/ REEF.org
http://www.reef.org/programs/exotic/lionfish/resources Gulf marine
report. http://www.gulfofmaine.org/state-of-the-
gulf/docs/marine-invasive-species.pdf Lionfish Expert - John Bodden
Local knowledge, DMs and Boat Captains
http://lionfish.co/lionfish-faq/