Download Lionfish in Trinidad and Tobago

GIVE INFO, GET INVOLVED!
Have you encountered a Lionfish?
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ima.gov.tt
An Agency of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources
An Agency of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources
Lionfish in
Trinidad and Tobago:
A Marine Invasive Species
@imachag
Managing the Lionfish Invasion
• Lionfish derbies - Over 297 lionfish were removed from Charlotteville,
Tobago over a two-day period in September 2014. Further derbies are
planned.
• Research - Investigations on the diet, size and growth to determine the
potential impact on coral reefs.
• Public Awareness and Education - Workshops in communities and
presentations in schools, together with posters, brochures, videos,
newspaper articles and activity books.
• Response Network - Collaboration with stakeholders include:
• Association of Tobago Dive Tour Operators,
• All Tobago Fisherfolk,
• Dept. of Marine Resources and Fisheries, Tobago House of Assembly
• Fisheries Division, Ministry of Food Production
• Rick’s Dive World,
• Fishing associations in Trinidad,
Institute of Marine Affairs
P.O. Box 3160, Carenage Post Office
Trinidad & Tobago,
West Indies
Photo: D. Buddo
ima.gov.tt @IMACHAG
www.ima.gov.tt
An Agency of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources
The Lionfish has arrived in the coastal waters of Trinidad and Tobago. The first
lionfish capture in Tobago was off Castara, in July 2012 and was followed a year
later with the first capture off Trinidad at Saut D’Eau Island.
Fast facts on the Lionfish
• Scientific Name:
Pterois volitans
• Common names: Zebra fish,
Turkey fish, peacock lionfish,
and Butterfly cod
• Identification:
• Distinctive red, maroon,
and white stripes or
bands covering the head
and body. Black spots on
tail.
• Fleshy tentacles above
eyes and below the
mouth; fan-like pectoral
fins.
• 13 long, separated dorsal
spines; 3 anal spines;
and 2 pelvic spines.
• Venomous spines: A sting
can be quite painful, leading
Red dots show the Lionfish distribution in the western
to profuse sweating and in
Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea.
extreme cases, respiratory
Source: United States Geological Survey
distress.
Reproduction: Can reach maturity at less than one year of age, are capable
of reproducing year-round, and frequently as every four days.
Size: Grows up to 45 cm (18 inches) in length.
Edible: It is a flaky white fish that makes a tasty meal.
The Problem with Lionfish
• A very serious Invasive Alien Species (IAS) which has the potential to
negatively impact marine fisheries and the dive tourism industry, as well as
significantly alter, if not destroy the Atlantic reef ecosystem.
• Voracious carnivores that feed on a variety of smaller fish (including
commercially and ecologically important species), shrimp and crab.
• Can tolerate salinities down to 7 parts per thousand and inhabit estuaries
and rivers
• Have few natural predators in this region.
• Highly venomous
Invasive Lionfish cause ecological damage to coral reefs and marine fisheries.
They can:
• Reduce populations of juvenile and small fish on coral reefs by up to
90 percent;
• Cause a decrease in the abundance of commercial fish such as snappers and
groupers;
• Cause a decrease in herbivores such as wrasses and parrotfish that keep
algae from overgrowing corals;
• Outnumber native fish in some locations.
Invasive Lionfish on a coral reef
Source: www.reef.org
You Can Help
by Reporting All Lionfish Sightings
and Captures
If you see or catch a Lionfish in our coastal waters, these details would be
useful:
• Date of sighting /capture
• Location and depth of sighting /capture
• Size of the fish
• Fish behaviour (e.g. hunting, hiding)
Call one of the numbers below:
In Tobago
• Department of Marine Resources and Fisheries 639-4446; 639-4354
• 211 Contact Centre
In Trinidad
• Institute of Marine Affairs 634-4291/4, Ext 2406
First Aid for Lionfish Stings
• Treat affected area with hot water (as hot as one
can tolerate) for up to 30 minutes. Do not use
boiling water. If at sea, hot water can be
accessed from the outboard engine.
• Heat prevents venom from spreading and
de-natures the venom in the toxin. Rapid heat
from even a hair dryer or heat packs can be used.
• Extra caution should be used in removing fish
from hooks, nets, or fish pots. Handle Lionfish
with thick gloves only.
• If stung during a dive, abort the dive immediately
and seek Medical Attention as soon as possible.
The venom is not fatal to humans but can cause intense pain.