The lionfish

Christin, Twin Cities, MN — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:17:06 GMT

Wikipedia has an article on the invasive lionfish, but the best article can be found, written 9-8-06, at the New York Times website. I think we should harvest this fish for biodeisel, along with any other invasive species. Why? For example, our lakes in Minnesota have numerous species (mostly plant, some animal) that have invaded our 10,000+ lakes and cost millions of dollars in damage and more cost trying to rid our waters of these invasive, non-native pests. All states have invasive species causing problems. They are a great fuel source because they are here and we need to get them under control. What better way than to use them as biofuel? Go to the MyGyan Process (mcgyan.com)website to see why. Also, sartec.com.

The lionfish

Sea Save Inc., Glen Burnie,MD. — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:37:41 GMT

Cockroaches feed off of: what ever, ever each other. Lion fish do not feed in that manner. They do not eat corals, nor lobsters (maybe baby ones). They eat shrimp, and small fish. They are a predator at the top of the food chain. The way they were brutally massacred is barbaric. They could be collected and resold for approx. $100 - $200 ea. Why can't they be collected and resold for the aquarium trade or to produce and anti-venom? Use the money to purchase more boats or hire more crews to collect even more. It was appalling to witness the involvement of the "National Aquarium" killing these creatures.

The lionfish

David Cruz, Dardenne Prairie, Missouri — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:14:25 GMT

I have just finished a dive trip in North Carolina. I have been doing this trip the same last week in June for about three years. We have seen firsthand the lionfish's path. Some are the size of basketballs. We see that the smaller fish are now gone and that the lionfish is just to much for the area. We will need to do something soon, are there will not be the sealife that we have seen.

The lionfish

Katrine Weiss — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:01:00 GMT

I've spent time in the Bahamas (Eleuthera) since I was a child and some friends have found a way to remove the poisonous parts and eat the Lion Fish which as no preditors in the Atlantic. Maurice White is starting a program to educate locals about the Lion Fish and teach them how to eat the fish that "tastes like chicken." See a video on how to catch and eat them and informatin about educating local Bahamian's about the Lion fish. http://web.mac.com/mojokingdom/iWeb/Site%2040/Lionfish%20Hunter.html

The lionfish

Nathan, Kernersville, NC — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:22:51 GMT

Some are stating to collect the fish and then sale them as pets. The issue with that is this is how the problem started in the first place. Owners letting them go in the Ocean because they ate the other fish in the tank. We need divers to eliminate as many of these trouble causing fish as possible.

The lionfish

pat ayers, Key West, FL — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:51:53 GMT

Lionfish are a very serious invasive species and as such will significantly alter, if not destroy, the Atlantic reef ecosystem, as well as impact the fisheries and diving industries. They eat juvenile fish of commercial species, as well as the local reef fish of the coral reefs. This is the effect of man's (possibly) unintended, but foolish actions.

The lionfish

Dr. Mark Hixon, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:26:41 GMT

My graduate student, Mark Albins, and I are the authors of the cited new study (2008 Marine Ecology Progress Series) showing that a single lionfish can reduce the input of new fish to a small coral patch reef in the Bahamas by 80% in just 5 weeks. As we continue our studies, it is becoming clear that the spread and intensity of this invasion is both unprecedented and staggering.

The lionfish

Dave Dowling — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:06:46 GMT

ridiculous story

The lionfish

Brian Tschirhart, DDS, Miami, Fl. — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:40:11 GMT

I googled "Lionfish recipe" and found a youtube helpful solution. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR-0zXnYMuc
Two years ago while at our place on Eleuthera, Bahama, I first saw a Lionfish. In May, in the same area, I saw at least 2 dozen. I came home and searched the internet for help on a solution...this could be it!

The lionfish

Becky ,Dallas, Tx — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:43:45 GMT

I saw one a few years ago in the waters off the island of Jt.John in the Caribbean. I told the guy at the dive desk, and he did not dispute that I had in fact seen one. He said a few other people had reported seeing them, too.

The lionfish

John — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:10:57 GMT

To Save the Sea: I understand your sentiment - no one (well, ALMOST no one) enjoys watching creatures killed for doing what comes naturally to them. Unfortunately, it would take only a tiny fraction of the individuals already out there to flood the aquarium market and drive costs to nil. Most divers and fishermen don't have the equipment or time required to transport the fish live anyway, which, btw, accounts for a good portion of the cost at your local aquarium anyway, making it less attractive an option than it might appear to you.

One possible avenue to encourage their removal would be to subsidize sale of the fish (dead and frozen) to asian markets where, apparently, they're eaten, and to also try to develop a market domestically. Then the gov't could fund a "bounty" with the proceeds to encourage their removal by those encountering them, w/o the need for any special equipment or training (other than a freezer). Perhaps eventually a self-sustaining market would evolve.

Unfortunately, even this would only serve to keep their #s down. We're quite likely stuck w/ them for good now.

The lionfish

Jody, Oakville, Ontario — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:21:51 GMT

The waters off the USA and Carribean islands have no predators capable of defeating the lionfish. If there were such a predator, the lionfish would not have proliferated into such a huge problem in such a short time. One person called this a "ridiculous story". We are looking at an environmental melt down. How can this be riduculous? Capturing and selling them won't work - there are thousands. Capture and kill!!! Hack and slash!!!Eradicate by any means neccessary to save our waters!!!. Red Sea, Coral Sea, Tropical Pacific - fine that's were they belong -- NOT THE ATLANTIC.

The lionfish

marian goodrich mi — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:52:44 GMT

that is amazing

The lionfish

Nick — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:42:18 GMT

If you need an aquarium to house all of those lion fish go to acrylicaquariums.com They can build a tank to hold them.

The lionfish

Austin — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 05:15:12 GMT

can we make them eat one another:) and do they have any natural predators we could introduce?

The lionfish

Melinda, Hampton, VA — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:59:28 GMT

I would like to speak for "Conscientious Aquarists" (borrowed the phrase from Bob Fenner at wetwebmedia) everywhere. I know there are some out there that are releasing these fish, but those are the stupid and irresponsible ones. Please, please, don't blame the aquarium trade itself, and please don't hold all of us responsible. Many of us research before buying, care for our animals responsibly, and understand the impact releasing fish can have. It's important to remember that, like everything, the folks who don't do the right thing are the ones who ruin it for everyone. That being said, this is a horrible situation that could have been avoided had people done what is right, fair, and humane, rather than what was easy. Thanks for listening to the crazy fish tank girl.

The lionfish

ann g, eleuthera, the bahamas — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:53:22 GMT

I would say the animal the lionfish most resembles is us... human beings. Think about it!