Embracing the mantra Catch ‘em, Clean ‘em, Eat ‘em, sixteen boats set out of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, as early as sunrise the last Saturday of May for Friends of the Environment’s second annual Lionfish Derby in hopes of taking home the grand prize of $2,000 for the most lionfish snared. In addition to the lure of cash prizes, divers were also focused on rounding up the invasive species that has become a major threat to the Bahamas marine resources.
Prior to this year’s Central Abaco Lionfish Derby, none of the prior lionfish tournaments held throughout the Bahamas have brought in numbers as alarming as this year’s derby—which brought in 2,957 lionfish.
The first team arriving at the weigh-in station landed 55 lionfish. As boats continued to arrive, an air of friendly competition ensued. Volunteers from Florida International University helped count coolers full of lionfish with competitors looking on in anticipation while Marsh Harbour Exporters and Importers staff filleted the fish after counting and measurements.
Winning teams for the most lionfish caught were:
1st: Lil Big Fish with 622 fish — $2,000
2nd: Grouper Lips with 522 — $1,000
3rd: Kiki with 514 fish — $500
An awards ceremony at Marsh Harbour Marina and Jib Room followed the weigh-in. In addition to the award of the cash prizes for first, second and third place, some of the fillets were raffled off and also cooked as appetizers for attendees. Prize money was donated by Marsh Harbour Exporters and Importers and The Bahamas Marine Exporters Association. Additional prizes were also given for the smallest and largest lionfish, as well as the least amount caught.
Each female lionfish has the ability to produce up to one million eggs each year so hypothetically speaking, if fifty percent of the total catch from this derby were female, participants of the derby eliminated over 1 billion lionfish eggs from Abaco’s waters in one day!
Although this fish is here to stay, derbies such as this one are a way help maintain local populations and generate awareness about this voracious predator. Derbies can make an impact on local populations but everyone can help control the lionfish invasion: Catch ’em, Clean ’em, Eat ’em!!
For more information on lionfish or Friends of the Environment, visit www.friendsoftheenvironment.org or telephone (242) 367-2721.
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