The fourth annual Green Turtle Cay Lionfish Derby, hosted at the Green Turtle Club June 15-16, resulted in the round up of 771 lionfish; the largest measured 316 mm and the smallest 50 mm.
Seventeen teams comprised of 29 “lionfish slayers” participated in the one day derby. Awards were given for first, second and third places in the following categories: Most Lionfish, Largest Lionfish, Smallest Lionfish, and Top Foreign Boat. Additional awards were given to the Top Female Hunter and the team collecting the most tagged fish.
The non-native Indo-Pacific lionfish has no known predators in the Atlantic Ocean. Scientists believe the invasive species lay 30,000 eggs every 7 days, grow quickly in comparison to native species with whom they compete for food and space, and more importantly eat important juvenile fish and crustaceans native to the Caribbean, such as grouper, snapper, parrotfish, grunts and crabs.
In last year’s tournament, 1,318 lionfish were captured; in 2010, 941 fish; and in 2009, over 1,400 fish.
Derby organizers believe awareness of lionfish has grown extensively, and that Bahamians and visitors alike are spearing lionfish whenever they see them.
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