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GIVE INFO, GET INVOLVED! Have you encountered a Lionfish? 1 1 2 l l a C 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.