Lionfish Curacao – A Portal for Education and Awareness
The Lionfish, (Pterois volitans and P. miles) is an invasive species that is found in the surrounding waters of Curacao since 2009, which is almost 25 years after they were introduced off the coast of South Florida in 1985.
Lionfish were originally from the Indo-Pacific area but now they are well established in The Caribbean Sea, North Western Atlantic, South Western Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.
Due to the speed at which this species is growing and the way they negatively impact native fish communities, they are now considered as one of the biggest threats to the native reef systems surrounding the beautiful Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao.
There are a huge number of negatives attached to lionfish in Curacao, however there is one big positive, it is a sustainable industry!
“the reason why divers and snorkelers find Lionfish so alluring also makes for incredible jewelry designs… which helps conserve the reef by bringing awareness to the issue.”
Lionfish Curacao and Sustainable Tourism Activities
To this day, the war against Lionfish rages on and continues to challenge hunters who give up their free time to help prevent more damage to the reefs and in turn, the local economy. There are many organised groups and dive schools that provide lessons on how to safely search for and catch Lionfish without disturbing or harming the surrounding reef. Certain dive schools also teach you how to carefully remove the spines and prepare it, making it the perfect meal for any fish lover.
Curacao Lionfish
An Invasive Species that is making a positive and sustainable economic impact!
Team Discovers
This Team Discovers 14 New Species An Hour, But They Have An Enemy
You’ve heard that we know more about space than we do the deep ocean. But did you know it’s so unexplored that scientists discover new species just 200-500 feet down, sometimes at a rate of 14 an hour? A (sort of) manmade enemy threatens those efforts though, and they can’t kill, study, and eat it fast enough.
Learn To Hunt Lionfish
Planning to visit Curaçao and want to learn hunting?
Lion Fish Scuba Dive Experience
In September 2012, Ocean Encounters started the Lionfish Scuba Dive Experience program to educate divers about and control the population of the invasive Lionfish on our dive sites.
Lionfish Facts
Planning to visit Curaçao and want to learn hunting?
Lion Fish Scuba Dive Experience
In September 2012, Ocean Encounters started the Lionfish Scuba Dive Experience program to educate divers about and control the population of the invasive Lionfish on our dive sites.