More than 21,000 invasive were removed from Florida waters in the fifth annual Lionfish Challenge, which rewards harvesters with prizes for their removals. South Florida winners included David Connerth (1,141) and Shane Rasch (619) of Palm Beach County, both in the recreational category, and Rachel Bowman of Monroe County (933 lbs.) in the commercial category. A Destin fisherman speared what turned out to be a state record for the longest lionfish caught in the Gulf of Mexico, measuring 18.19 inches.
Participants in the challenge, which ran from May 22-Nov. 1, received prizes including Shearwater Perdix dive computers, Paralenz dive cameras, GoPro Hero 9s, steel scuba cylinders, customized neck gaiters, Engel backpack coolers, polespears and Dive Rite steel backplate buoyancy control device.
Lionfish (Pterois volitans and P. miles) are an invasive species that have a potential negative impact on native wildlife and habitat. They’re also delicious, and chefs are adding them to menus to bring awareness to this tasty invasive.
Find out more about lionfish at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Reef Rangers site.
