Places to spear Lionfish

[ilovekittens]

Hey new member here. Avid snorkeler and diver would like to start taking out lionfish instead of just staring at them underwater. I probably saw 50 of them snorkeling around in Roatan a couple years ago. I see you need a $50 permit in Roatan to spear lionfish. My question is what islands in the Carribbean allow spearing lionfish. Don't really want to take time away from my vacation going to a class or paying for a permit (but if I have to, better than nothing). Really doesn't look like rocket science to spear a fish that just sits there. I watched about a dozen vids now I think I'm an expert. I'm not the reckless gun hoe type, I respect the reefs and all the aquatic life, except for the lionfish. I was looking into buying a liontamer spear. Good choice, bad choice?

I watched a dive master in Grand Cayman trying to net some lionfish during a dive. All 4 escaped, good luck with that technique.

Ready to plan a trip, but must be legal to spear lionfish where ever I go. Thanks for any info.

[fishspearit]

Fortunately more and more dive destinations are starting to open up lionfish hunting for the tourists.
For starters, don't rule out Florida. We have great diving, no license required for an unlimited number of lionfish, and I've never heard of a dive business other than in Pennekamp Key Largo that won't let you hunt lionfish.
The Bahamas, although spearing on scuba has always been illegal, have started to slacken regulations and I know that some of the liveaboard dive boats have permission to spear lionfish on scuba dives. Check with your dive operator for specific info on their policy.
Turks and Caicos are still in the 20th century and are forcing you to net them. Only locals can get away with having a polespear onboard.
You can spear them in the Dominican Republic in most places, and they've held lionfish tournaments there, again check with specific dive outfit for their policy.
You can spear them in Puerto Rico and in the US Virgin Islands. Even the park in St. Johns has a group, CORE, that is working to control the lionfish population.
BVI is still prohibiting spearing lionfish.
Cozumel allows spearing of Lionfish now.
I know people spear them in Cayman, but I think it's a locals only thing, no tourists.
Aruba just in the last few months opened up Lionfish hunting to visitors with polespears and Hawaiian slings.
Curacao allows it with a polespear, but not Hawaiian sling, so that may make the lion tamer illegal there. http://www.curacaochronicle.com/comm...ting-lionfish/
Bonaire will allow it, but it's a pain with their licenses and you have to use their special spear. I have sold Foldspears to people there, but I think they have to keep it on the lowdown.
Bermuda allows it and has also had lionfish derbies to help reduce the population. Polespear only there for spearfishing, which is a natural fit for lionfish hunters.
Belize allows and encourages lionfish hunting.
Panama allows it.
As you wrote, Honduras does allow lionfish hunting, I wasn't aware of the $50 permit fee in Roatan. I know they're spearing them in Utila.
I'm not too sure about the rest of the Windward and Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, but a lot more places are starting to realize that lionfish hunting is good for the reef and good for business, so I wouldn't hesitate to contact a dive operator in any destination I was interested in and ask them if they will allow it.

[nilsonov]

holy cow that's a lot of great info there!

as for cozumel, do you know if the lionfish can be speared in the marine protected area?

[Johnoly]

Originally Posted by fishspearit

Fortunately more and more dive destinations are starting to open up lionfish hunting for the tourists. .

That's a great write up with a ton of detail. Many thanks !!

[fishspearit]

Originally Posted by nilsonov

as for cozumel, do you know if the lionfish can be speared in the marine protected area?

My understanding is that in the Park at Cozumel only the divemasters can spear lionfish, but outside of the Park they are fair game for anyone.

[ilovekittens]

Thanks for all the great info. I would more than likely only be spearing when snorkeling. Every time I go diving it seems like your with a pack of people following around a dive master.

Here is the info I read from Roatan http://www.roatanmarinepark.com/rese...nfish-program/. I guess it's only $20 dollars if you have your own spear and $50 if you don't to take the class and get a license if you pass. They only offer the class in half moon bay unless you have a big party of people they will come to you. Oh and if you fail the class they keep your spear until you pass. Don't miss those coconuts underwater now.

I'm sure eventually these places are going to realize the devastation these fish cause and say please kill all the lionfish you can we are losing tourist. Didn't Florida start out with needing a fishing license, now there like have at it boys.

The only places I have ruled out are the ones that don't allow spearing lionfish or having to jump threw hoops to get a permit, so Florida is still in the mix. Thanks again.

[SpearsouthFL]

Most of the West Palm Beach/ South Florida wrecks are loaded. 60-100ft of vis but currents can be a pain, or help out if your quick moving down the ledge. The gulf is also loaded but vis is not as good.

[AndrewK]

Come through miami, theyre on every wreck and reef down here. The herd has been thinned a little but theres plenty to go around.

[rexwang]

went to cayman this previous summer and they have a lionfish hunt every sunday. its mainly the locals that do it, although we were very close to getting in on the action (a few phone calls made)...

for some reason the locals are super duper low key about it, the lady on the phone was all rude about us asking about the "hunt". basically, there is no spearing allowed there AT ALL (unless its for lionfish, by a local)... if you ask the right place, theyll put you on the sunday trip for spearing (and they do it on bubbles too)

[Ryanfish]

I really love kittens as well.

[ilovekittens]

Looks like I will be heading to Dominican Republic for my first lionfish spearing in a few months. I will give a full report when I return. Still would like to hear about other locations for future endeavors. ILK

[ROBERTO REYES]

We need people like you, come to Puerto Rico and kill them all.
You dont need a permit, nor a licence, hell, you dont even need
your passport to get here.

[PatMyGreen]

We are seeing them in our area now too (northwest florida). We have added lionfish to our quarterly spearing calcutta!

http://www.panamacitydiving.com/

[unclemorango]

About 2 years ago I'd see at least a half dozen Lionfish on dives in South Florida (Palm Beach County). I went out again late last year and saw 1 single bugger.

I wonder if it was just coincidence or the hunting is actually driving their numbers down.

Are dive boats encouraged to not only kill but to keep a count on sightings? I'm sure it we will never get a exact census like statistics, but would help keeping track of their populational and location trend.

[ROBERTO REYES]

I used to see many many at a few spots, and none around the rest of the island, now on those spots were there were many there are fewer ,but the lion fish are all over the island.
So my guess is that in the places were the invasive species had better habitat ( more food,shelter,etc), they developed first and got strengh and big numbers and from there they spread around.