[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hat do you do when there’s an invasive species dwelling in your waters and that species can be very delicious? You catch and eat them of course!
The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) capitalized on that by hosting the Lionfish Roundup with their partners The Green Parrot restaurant, East Bay Street, Nassau. The event was created to help remove this invasive species and show Bahamians various way to prepare the fish for consumption. This year was the fourth year of the Lionfish Roundup, and 11 teams participated, catching over 350 fish from the waters around New Providence.
“The Lionfish Roundup is a great event for raising awareness about invasive lionfish and the need to continue to remove them from the main environment,” said Lynn Gape, BNT Deputy Executive Director. “The BNT and Department of Marine Resources are very grateful to the Green Parrot and the great sponsors for their continued support of this event.”
In addition to the Green Parrot, who sponsored and organized the event, other sponsors included Harbourside Marine, Tropic Seafood, Bahamian Brewery and Beverage, John Watlings, Thompson Trading, Lion King, Digi Print, Bahamas Art and Handicraft, and Bay Street Marina.
“The Lionfish Round up is a fun and worthwhile event,” said Lindsay Farrington-Mulock, Marketing and Events Manager at Green Parrot. “Lots of lionfish were caught and Green Parrot served delicious lionfish dishes on the menu, as well as a specialty drink, the ‘sting ting’.” Entire proceeds from Green Parrot went to the BNT. Spectators and participants ate and drank while listening to the acoustic stylings of David Graham, Tim Deal and Steve Holden. Ms. Farrington-Mulock added, “A good time was had by all!”
Three time winners – Team Maillis placed first again this year, catching 146 lionfish and winning a paddle board from Harbourside Marine, a bottle of John Watling’s Buena Vista Rum and an earring set from Bahama Art and Handicraft – which was made from lionfish tail. Team Connection caught 67 fish and placed second, winning a cash prize and gift certificate. Team Chasin Tails caught 47 lionfish and placed third, also winning a cash prize and gift certificate.
In addition to the main winners, Team Chasin Tails caught the smallest lionfish at .015 cm and won a bottle of Fireball Whiskey and a Green Parrot gift certificate. Team Connection caught the biggest lionfish, which was 1.81-pounds and won a cash prize, Tropic Seafood gift certificate and a bottle of Red Turtle Vodka for their ‘big’ catch.
“The annual Lionfish Roundup is all about a good cause, as it helps protect the marine environment in The Bahamas,” said Nick Rademaker, Harbourside Marine – who donated the grand prize. “By catching and removing lionfish from our waters, everyone gets to have a fun time and kids get to enjoy the marine life that we all grew up with!”
Photos from this year’s Lionfish Roundup are posted on the BNT’s Facebook page. The BNT and Green Parrot thank all of their supporters who attended the event and helped make it such a worthwhile and fun annual event.
The Bahamas National Trust was created by an Act of Parliament in 1959 to build and manage the national park system of the Bahamas. BNT works daily to conserve and protect the natural resources of The Bahamas, through stewardship and education for present and future generations. There are currently 27 National Parks managed by the TRUST with more than 2 million acres of marine and terrestrial areas protected. For more information, visit www.bnt.bs.
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