The Problem
- Threaten the well-being of coral-reefs and other marine ecosystems.
- Harm commercially and recreationally important fishes that depend on them.
- Inhabit reefs, wrecks, and other habitat types in the warm marine waters of the greater Atlantic.
The Causes
- Lionfish are native to coral reefs in the tropical waters of the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.
- Likely introduced when aquarium owners emptied unwanted pet lionfish into nearby coastal waters.
- The lionfish spread very rapidly since they have no natural predators in US waters.
The Solution
- Hunting them in large numbers.
- They can be eaten but only after their poisonous parts are removed.
- Training sharks to eat them! Yes, this is real.
- Ban Lionfish imports.
- Have divers report lionfish sightings.