Rolex SeaDweller -- On the underwater KILL Team -- SCUBA

[Mickey®]

Did we find out yet...WHERE WAS THAT?

Also, why spear so many Lion Fish instead of other types? "56 Confirmed kills" sounds like they are not "liked" for some reason?


EDIT...I GOOGLED. LOL


Control and eradication efforts


P. miles makes up about seven percent of the invasive lionfish population in the Atlantic and Caribbean
The population density of the invasive lionfish is increasing very fast, and efforts are underway in several areas to bring it under control. However, to completely eradicate the lionfish from its new habitats seems unlikely. A study from 2010 using population modeling used data collected about the known life history of the lionfish inhabiting the Caribbean coral reefs to figure out the best means of eradication. The study showed that the most effective way to even maintain current lionfish population densities, at least 27% of the invasive adult populations would have to be killed monthly. The fact that lionfish are able to reproduce monthly throughout the entire year means that this is an effort that must be maintained monthly for the maintenance of current population densities.[41]
Even to accomplish these numbers seems unlikely, but as populations of lionfish continue to grow throughout the Caribbean and Western Atlantic, actions are being taken to attempt to control the quickly growing numbers. In November 2010, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary began to give out licenses to divers to kill lionfish inside of the sanctuary. This is the first time this has ever been done for any species in the sanctuary, in a desperate attempt to eradicate the fish. Rigorous and repeated removal of lionfish from invaded waters will be necessary to establish control on the exponentially expanding population.[2] Many conservation groups across the Eastern United States are organizing hunting expeditions for Pterois. The Environment Education Foundation recently hosted its third ‘lionfish derby’ in Florida, offering more than $3,000 in prize money for dive teams catching the most lionfish.[42] Community organizations are forming across the country in hopes of halting the ever expanding lionfish population.[42] Divemasters from Cozumel to the Honduran Bay Islands routinely spear Lionfish during dives, sometimes killing as many as eight in an hour. Based on average kills per dive, a professional diver could easily kill 3000 to 4000 Lionfish per year (3 dives per day, 6 days per week, averaging 4+ kills per dive).[citation needed]
Other interest groups, such as NOAA, are setting up events and campaigns that encourage the killing and eating of the fish.[34] Many people are wary of the idea of eating a venomous fish, but when properly filleted the fish is perfectly healthy to eat. Encouraging the consumption of lionfish could not only help to maintain a reasonable population density, but also provide an alternative fishing source to other overfished populations, such as grouper and snapper. The Reef Environmental Education Foundation has even prepared a cookbook to help educate restaurant chefs on how they can incorporate the fish into their menu. The NOAA calls the lionfish a "delicious, delicately flavored fish" similar in texture to grouper.[42] Many recipes for lionfish can be found in coastal cookbooks, some including fried lionfish, lionfish ceviche, lionfish jerky and grilled lionfish.[43]
The invasiveness of the red lionfish is an extreme problem, and relatively little information is still known about the animal. The NOAA has research foci in place to better understand the fish and the implications surround its invasive nature. Some of these include investigating biotechnical solutions for control of the population, and understanding how the larvae are dispersed. Another important area of study is how the population is controlled in its native area. If we find out why it is not out of control in the Indo-Pacific, we may be able to implement a similar concept into the invasive populations, without causing unintended results such as another invasive species. NOAA also plans to further its "Lionfish as Food" campaign, as human hunting of the fish is the only known current form of control. The NOAA also encourages people to report lionfish sightings to help keep a better record of dispersal.[44]

[gpfps]

i have kept loin fish for many years. They are fast growers hugh eaters and hardy as hell. The spines when touched will hurt like hell but not deadly. That pic of the large loin fish would still cost around $50 to 100 in the fish trade. Native fish leave then alone because of the loins stinging spines and the fish that can eat them are few ie moral eels.

[topjimmi]

Nice pics

[sea-dweller]

Nice photos!

[tomchicago]

never mind...see that they're invasive. now go to the GBR and get rid of some crown of thorns!

[lhanddds]

Nice pics Jason, looks like you had a great time

[mikkibarry]

Nice to see so many divers on the forum.

[CoachRolexRyan]

Very cool!

[Jason71]

I did find one last picture. I used my camera on a couple of the dives before I pulled the spears out.

[mikkibarry]

Bonaire?

[FNFZ4]

Amazing Jason! Definitely on my to do list!

[DetroitDave]

Nice Seahorse! Bottom timer? If you're doing that much diving it time to move up to a computer....2 years ago in Roatan they were working on getting the groupers to eat the lionfish, with some success....and my guess is that's where you were.

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by DetroitDave

Nice Seahorse! Bottom timer? If you're doing that much diving it time to move up to a computer....2 years ago in Roatan they were working on getting the groupers to eat the lionfish, with some success....and my guess is that's where you were.

Had a computer. Became totally liberated when I gave up the computer. A computer is a crutch IMHO.

[DetroitDave]

Can't say that I agree....my Submariner goes on virtually every dive that I do but so do my computers. But that's a discussion for a different forum.

[Hairdude1]

Great pics!

[Jason71]

Found another couple pictures. SD on the Orange NATO again.



Partially cleaned and almost ready for cooking, and then YUM!!

[withthesword]

i've never had lion fish before. what's the closest regular fishmarket fish similar to its taste or texture?

[Fagin]

Great pictures but Where was that?

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by withthesword

i've never had lion fish before. what's the closest regular fishmarket fish similar to its taste or texture?

It is a very light, non-fishy tasting whitefish similar to snapper I thought. It is REALLY tasty.

It is even commanding somewhat of a premium in restaurants due to the novelty I think

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Fagin

Great pictures but Where was that?

I know that many have asked of my location. I truly have not been ignoring this question, but have been hesitant to reply since many locations are somewhat restrictive about letting tourists spear. I would love to spear in Grand Cayman, but the government makes all residents register a spear with them. Only residents are allowed to have/use a spear, and there are stiff penalties if these laws are violated. (so I've been told)

Under no circumstances would I want to get the divemaster / captain in trouble for allowing me this privilege. I believe that it was lawful for me to spear in my location, but I also plan to return and don't want to affect future spearing endeavors.

I hope that people could understand my hesitancy.

[Jack H.]

Must not have been Bonaire.....Great pics!! Huge lionfish! Good job!

[Jason71]

Originally Posted by Jack H.

VERY cool! That is a huge moray! Where were you? Did some of that myself in Bonaire with a sub. Thanks for sharing! By the way, what type of video cam were you using?

Best,

Jack H.

Sorry I missed your question. I use a Canon G10 camera in an Ikelite housing. I use it for stills and also put it in video mode occasionally for videos.

[withthesword]

Originally Posted by Jason71

It is a very light, non-fishy tasting whitefish similar to snapper I thought. It is REALLY tasty.

It is even commanding somewhat of a premium in restaurants due to the novelty I think

it looks delicious. i'm sure it looked and tasted even better cooked :D

[djemmtee]

awesome!!!!

[red1108nyc]

Wow... what a great trip Jason! Thanks for sharing!!

[TSW]

Very nice!

[Jason71]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. Diving again next month, and hope to have a little more underwater watch porn

[Lrd2sea]

Thanks for sharing, Jason.
Interesting photos and very educational.

Safe diving!