Although they are visually attractive, they are not endemic to the Atlantic. They were originally introduced in 1992 after an aquarium spilled into the ocean during Hurricane Andrew releasing six lionfish. Now, they have invaded the waters from North Carolina to Columbia and with no natural predator they are quickly taking over the reefs, reeking havoc on the stocks of juvenile fish around the Caribbean. In one study it is reported that lionfish caused a 79% reduction in the number of juvenile fish on the reefs where they were being studied. Other studies have observed lionfish eating up to 20 fish in 30 minutes demonstrating how voracious these predators can be.
Humans have a habit of causing all sorts of unforseen ecological catastrophes.
Part of the problem is their increased breeding habits. In the Pacific, where the lionfish is naturally found they only breed once a year but in the Atlantic, the fish have been observed breeding at an astonishing rate of once a month. A single female will release 30,000 eggs at a time, which, once fertilized, will float with the currents for up to 45 days.
This is how the fish around Utila arrived and it is likely that they will continue to arrive in the same fashion from more established populations around the Caribbean. The best chance at containing the problem will be to work together as a community to eradicate as many as possible before they reach maturity and begin breeding here too.
The Honduras Bay Islands are one of the best dive spots in the world. I know, I learnt and worked there as a diving instructor, before going to the Red Sea and being sorely dissapointed.
Want to do something about it?
Volunteer in the Honduran Caribbean with Utila Centre for Marine Ecology conservation, ecology & development projects: dolphins, whale sharks, coral reefs, fisheries, mangroves, seagrass, scuba diving.
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