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Invasive Species Spearfishing & Science Discuss invasive exotic species such as lionfish, carp, snakehead, etc. including news, spearfishing and scientific research in any geographical region.

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Old 09-12-2012, 03:19 PM   #1
REEF
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Key Largo, FL
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2012 Key Largo Lionfish Derby Results are In!

Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) in partnership with Divers Direct and Coconuts Restaurant hosted the final derby of the 2012 Lionfish Derby Series this past weekend in Key Largo, Florida. The event was a huge success with eleven teams hauling in a whopping 461 lionfish! The lionfish that were removed would have eaten an estimated 600,000 to 2.2 million prey fish off the reefs in the next year if they would have remained in the water. REEF extends a huge thanks to all participants, volunteers, sponsors, and hosts for their contribution to mitigating the effects of this harmful invasive species. Though eradication of lionfish is unlikely, sustained removals can make a big difference by reducing local lionfish populations and their negative impacts.

Over $3,500 in cash prizes sponsored by Divers Direct were awarded to the first, second, and third place winners in three categories: most, largest, and smallest lionfish caught. The $1,000 award for team most lionfish caught went to Team Strategery for bringing in 233 lionfish. Key Lime Good Time took first place in both largest lionfish and smallest lionfish with their 410 mm (16.1”) and 47 mm (1.9”) catches. Complete results are available at http://www.reef.org/lionfish/derbies/pastderbies . The event was filmed by both Discovery Channel Canada and a French documentary team. The shows will air next year.

REEF and Simon Fraser University partnered throughout the 2012 Derby Series to conduct research on the effectiveness of derbies in controlling local populations. Preliminary data analysis from the 2012 Green Turtle Key, Bahamas, Derby shows that lionfish derbies are effective at removing 65% of lionfish off of local reefs. Data has not yet been analyzed for the Key Largo derby, but the results will be shared later this fall. Part of the study included tagging lionfish before the derby and seeing how many tagged lionfish were caught by derby fishermen. An extra $50 was awarded to teams for each tagged lionfish captured. Team Strategery found three tagged lionfish and Quiescence found one tagged lionfish. Only 26 lionfish were tagged prior to the derby, so congratulations to these two teams for finding “needles in the haystacks!”

One more huge thanks to all participants, volunteers, and sponsors of the 2012 derbies in Green Turtle Key Bahamas, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Key Largo. A total of 2,694 lionfish were removed thanks to you!



For photos from the event, please "like" REEF Invasive Lionfish Program on Facebook and view our photo album "2012 Key Largo Lionfish Derby."
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Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF)
98300 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037
Tel: 305-852-0030 - Email: reefhq@reef.org
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