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Lion fish at the sea floor, mostly likely taken 1-300 feet down.

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The lion fish is an invasive species, scientifically known as Pterois volitans. The lion fish can be identified easily by its brown or maroon stripes with white bands on their head and body, multiple dorsal fins, and fan-like pectoral fins. It is a carnivorous fish and can live from 10-15 years.

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Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific Region, which is the South Pacific and Indian Oceans. Lionfish are usually apex predators in their area and ambush their prey. Lionfish prey on small fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

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Density of Lionfish population around Florida and along the East coast.

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They are mainly invasive in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, but they have also been spotted in places such as the Everglades and the Keys. They are thought to have arrived in Florida due to the aquarium trade and accidental or deliberate releases in Florida’s surrounding bodies of water. Lionfish have affected Floridas ecosystems in ways such as reducing native fish populations, increasing algal growth, and altering prey community structure.

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In our group, we decided that “eat Lionfish” is the best controlling method because, if the Lionfish is considered a delicacy and people are encouraged to catch and eat Lionfish, it will be a very successful campaign. If people are encouraged to catch and sell/eat Lionfish and demand rises, the population will decrease because more people will want Lionfish, thus increasing the need for more fishers catching and selling Lionfish.

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Works Cited

“Lionfish Control in the National Marine Sanctuaries: A Study of Lionfish Aggregating Devices and Ciguatera Levels - NCCOS - National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science.” National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/project/lionfish-control-national-marine-sanctuaries-aggregating-devices-ciguatera-levels/. Accessed 15 May 2025.

“Lionfish Invasion: 7 Easy Ways You Can Help Save Our Reefs.” Fishing Booker, 29 October 2024, https://fishingbooker.com/blog/tame-lionfish/. Accessed 15 May 2025.

“What is a lionfish?” NOAA's National Ocean Service, 16 June 2024, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/lionfish-facts.html. Accessed 15 May 2025.

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Lion fish removal by divers - Considered a promising strategy for local control, such as specific reefs or reef areas. Unfortunately, the cost, unreliability of public effort, and depth constraints severely limit diversity removals as a long-term control strategy.

Lion fish trapping - Exploring the use of LADs, (Lion fish devices) in both coral and hard bottom reef habitats to concentrate lion fish and make capture and development of control plans more practical and efficient. However, this method is still being researched and waiting to be deployed. It is currently being tested and not used in mass. Regular trapping were tested to not be efficient.

“Eat Lion fish” - Encouraging the consumption of lion fish as a food source. According to Lionfish Invasion: 7 Easy Ways You Can Help Save Our Reefs,“Lion fish are considered a delicacy. Campaigns such as ‘Eat Lion fish’ campaign were designed to increase the consumption of lion fish fish, encouraging their removal, and promote the species as a sustainable seafood choice in an effort to keep native fish populations intact.” However, the lion fish is poisonous. It contains elevated levels of ciguatoxin, a potentially dangerous neurotoxin. It should be prepared properly by a trained chef.

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Educational Video About Controlling Lionfish Populations

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Educational Video About Controlling Lionfish Populations

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How Florida is handling invasive lionfish