Lionfish Spread into US waters

[lagoonguy]

Lionfish Spreading In U.S.Waters
Researchers with Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission have discovered the first of the highly invasive Lionfish in US waters. While conducting research trawls in the Gulf of Mexico, as a part of the Deepwater Horizon catastrophy, the crews brought up two juvenile red lionfish last week

With the exception of a probably aquarium release from the Tampa Bay area, the discovery of these lionfish marks the first time this non-native species has been documented in gulf waters north of the Tortugas and the Yucatan Peninsula.

FWC researchers made the catch from two seperate tows taken at distances of 99 and 160 miles off the southwest coast of Florida, north of the Tortugas and west of Cape Romano. The specimens were taken at depths of 183 and 240 feet as part of a trawl survey funded by the Southwest Area Monitoring Assessment Program, a federal-state cooperative program.

FWC scientists believe the two juveniles, measuring approximately 2.5 inches in length evidence of a spawning population within the Gulf of Mexico's West Florida Shelf or they were transported to the area by ocean currents from other spawning areas such as the Yucatan Peninsula. Pretty much everything about the venomous lionfish?its red-and-white zebra stripes, long, showy pectoral fins, and generally cantankerous demeanor?says, "Don't touch!"

The venom of the lionfish, delivered via an array of up to 18 needle-like dorsal fins, is purely defensive. It relies on camouflage and lightning-fast reflexes to capture prey, mainly fish and shrimp. A sting from a lionfish is extremely painful to humans and can cause nausea and breathing difficulties, but is rarely fatal.

Lionfish, also called turkey fish, dragon fish and scorpion fish, are native to the reefs and rocky crevices of the Indo-Pacific, although they've found their way to warm ocean habitats worldwide.
The largest of lionfish can grow to about 15 inches (0.4 meters) in length, but the average is closer to 1 foot (0.3 meters).

Lionfish are popular in some parts of the world as food, but are far more prized in the aquarium trade. Their population numbers are healthy and their distribution is growing, causing some concerned in the United States, where some feel the success of this non-indigenous species presents human and environmental dangers.

Lionfish have taken over much of the Bahamas area to the extent that organized diving hunts are taking place there and many restaurants now feature the species on their menues