Melissa works on her journal at the Mangrove Inn, Bocas, Panama!
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Synopsis: This paper began enthusiastically exploring the lionfish family along with other species endemic to areas outside their traditional habitat. The more read and researched, the more it occurred to me that much was being documented and campaigns for additional funding for research actively pursued. Conversely, I discovered very little discussion on what to do. This paper took off on a tangent and strayed a bit from the original outline. Nonetheless, I believe more discussion is needed on what to do about the bio-migratory effects of the lionfish. How the fish arrived in the Atlantic is important if it leads to larger discoveries such as global warming effects and changing environmental issues. The answer to look for is what can be done in the present. Acting in the present on issues of magnitude such as the lionfish eating the tropical marine environment clean of its natural population may lead to action that is more aggressive on other issues of equal importance.
Talking Points: When were the initial observations of lionfish native to Indo-Pacific region taking up residence in unnatural habitats? How did they get here and why is that issue important? Lightly touch on feeding habits and protective mechanisms. Consider offering theoretical and outrageous possibilities in order to encourage discussion on proactive solutions rather than waiting for reactive challenges. Anthropogenic results are widespread. Invasive species from one location to another in some ways mirror migratory and conquering characteristics of many species. What did the dinosaurs experience that we have yet to understand? How do philosophical discussions lead to scientific discoveries and solutions?
Importance of Topic: Presentation and discussion of this topic is important for the reason that ongoing dialogue between people and nations is paramount to resolving the environmental affects
Bio-migration Effects of Lionfish on Caribbean Reefs and Marketable Control Mechanisms
Large colonies of Lionfish are routinely spotted from the wrecks off the North Carolina coast to the reefs of the Bahamas and greater Caribbean. The bio-migration of these invasive species on floral and fauna are having a devastating impact on the indigenous marine ecosystem. Focus of this research opportunity will be comprised of an ongoing investigation extending from many other individuals and teams of marine biologist on what is going on in the present and while offering various types of solutions on how to deal with the problem. The fish is an interesting development with its protective and poisonous spines and the means by which it corals and/or ambushes its prey. Without natural enemies in the infected areas, there is no control mechanism in place to keep the species in check.
These destructive intruders may have started their digestive desires in the aquarium of the rich and famous or perhaps grandmotherÕs goldfish bowl. Exotic animals have always been a source of income for some and a social presence for others. However, waking up in the morning and finding mister or miss exotic fish as the only remaining fish left in the aquarium, with a full belly of all the other showcased tropical fish and rapidly becoming way to large for the existing facility, the easy out for the owner is to fire up the outboard, take a ride out to sea, and set the fish free. Maybe there is a degree of innocence in this type of action that justifies the rational. However, dumping a hungry fish without any natural predators, disease, or parasites to effectively control the population spells devastation and annihilation to the normal life existence of the reef and coral environment. The habitat doesnÕt get a chance to react to deal with unnatural invasion. Additional bio-migration examples, myths and other possible conclusions on how the bio-migration occurred will review possible avenues to pursue and implement in order to assist the ecological disaster to overcome the negative outcomes generated by the invasion of this particular species in the geographical area identified.
Consequently, some of the questions that need to be addressed are whether there are any benefits gained from the incursion of lionfish. How can the lionfish be stopped? The lionfish bio-migration is a constant study from an academic, social and environmental perspective. Although very few lionfish were sighted around Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas in 1990Õs, Òscientists were stunned in 2001 with the discovery of evidence the lionfish, whatever their origin, were spawning in the AtlanticÓ (Lambert, 2006). ÒOne reliable report documents a lionfish being caught from a fishing pier in Lake Worth, Florida, 1n 1983Ó according to Alex Brylske quoting from the article titled Beauty and a Beast: The Lionfish Invasion of the Western Atlantic (Dive Training Magazine, Dec. 2007). I observed the lionfish presence and behavior while scuba diving the Exumas Keys of the Bahamian Islands a couple of years ago. For the most part, the spotting and observations took place around ringed reef systems surrounding deep blue holes. A quick look around the reef environment revealed very few other aboriginal tropical fish left in the immediate vicinity. The feast had begun with astounding results!
The lionfish belongs to the Scorpaenidae Family named Pterois volitans, and are known as benthic fishes. Benthic translates into lionfish hanging out around the bottom of their habitat rather than swimming freely in the water column, such as pelagic fishes. Typically, the lionfish will hang near or under an outcropping and wait for unsuspecting prey to swim close enough for the lionfish to open its massive mouth, in relation to body size, and seemingly sucking the fish, crab, or whatever seems to be appetizing at the time, right off the face of the reef. Another method the lionfish incorporates is to Òuse its wing like side fins to sweep fish into a corner of the reef, where they canÕt escapeÓ (Cerullo, 1997). The Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF.org) gathered Ò400 samplesÓÓ from Òthe epicenter of the lionfish population in the western Atlantic Ð a triangle within the Bahamas defined by the Berry Islands, Andros, and New Providence IslandÓ (Brylske, 2007). The average size measured was 7.4 inches with 17 inches as the largest measured and 1.12 inches as the smallest with the measurement taken as described below.
On March 8, 2008, my friend and fellow diver Robert Glandorf boarded the AquaCat live-aboard dive boat docked at Hurricane Hole Marina on Paradise Island with REEFÕs Special Projects director Lad Adkins for additional study and research on the lionfish challenge. The procedure and specifics of the study is condensed in a narrative provided by Mr. Glandorf on his experience with the project.
The following study was performed on each captured specimen as outlined below by Robert Glandorf:
1.Measure the total length of the fish Ð nose to end of tail.
2.Measure the standard length Ð nose to beginning of the tail fin.
3.Identify if the two antennas were feathered, straight or missing.
4.Slice open the belly, open up the fish and take out the sex organs, which were located on the flank of the fish. These were put into vials of a formaldehyde solution and marked with the identification code to identify which fish they came from.
5.Cut out the stomach and empty the contents. If there were contents they were identified as best as possible, noted on the log, the mass was determined in mLÕs and then put in a Ziploc bag with the identification code written on the bag. It should be noted here that we found lots of different fish, shrimp and even a crab in one fishÕs gut.
6.Finally, the head was cut off and the ear bones were found, removed and placed in a vial with the identification code. I was told these would be viewed through a microscope and the age of the fish would be determined based on the number of rings.
This data will become a source of stare-and-compare information with historical data, logged into the appropriate files and folders, and openly shared with groups of research technicians, ecologists, scientist and the general public by the non-profit REEF organization.
Not only the good people at REEF, but other groups are equally representative The article GLG 413/513 Tropical Marine Ecology study produced by Kathleen Sullivan Sealy and Nicola Smith from the College of the Bahamas provides a comprehensive sequence of events including generalizations of ÒBiological Invasion(s), data on the ÒLionfish In Their Native RangeÓ while imparting actions that may be taken to preserve the natural environment while dealing with non-aboriginal and un-wanted visitors from other parts of the world. The report offers the concerned citizen to help out ÒThe National Lionfish Response PlanÓ by
¥Reporting lionfish sightings on the national online questionnaire
¥Urging others to report sightings
¥Donating money or other much needed resources to the response team (Bahamas Naturalist, 2007)
This work and conscientious effort is noble in cause. Some would offer that until we engage the free market system in an effort to aggressively countermand the opportunistic nature of the lionfish in this part of the hemisphere, we would end up with an abundance of information, but neglect to solve the issue. Using the free market is against my grain but through years of observation and participation, the free market does oppress the unknowing. Turning the free market loose against the lionfish may be a control mechanism that will allow the reef environment to recover from this unwanted invasion of the lionfish. Along this train of reasoning, another option to consider is to market the fish as a delicacy. One only needs to look at shark fining and the disastrous outcome this has had on one of the least understood fish in the ocean, we might speculate what this same behavior would have on the current population of lionfish. Market the lionfish as some exotic and rarely obtained but elegantly affordable appetizer that provide longevity of life, inner spiritually enhanced powers to communicate with the parallel universe. Perhaps having the local neighborhood McDonalds run a monthly Òfun meal discountÓ on lionfish sandwiches that will Òmake you roar for more!Ó
The conclusion arrived at this point, cynical as it may seem, is that until all individuals on this spaceship we call planet Earth come together as tenants instead of takers, we are heading for a train wreck. Continuing studies and research projects are rewarding and challenging. They will continue to provide many questions and theoretical solutions while doing little about action necessary to reduce Homo sapiens invasive attributes on nature itself.
My Experiences aboard the AquaCat Helping with Lionfish Studies for REEF and Lad Akins
By Robert Glandorf
On March 8th 2008, I boarded the AquaCat based in Nassau Bahamas, to help Lad Akins with the non-profit group REEF (reef.org) to help with Lionfish studies. The trip was a weeklong following the normal Saturday to Saturday schedule for the AquaCat. Of the approximately 20 passengers, there were 5 of us there to help Lad in his research. After signing the required forms promising not to sue anyone if we got sting by the Lionfish we got started.
Before I arrived, Lad had already captured about 60 Lionfish, which we needed to process. We did this late Sunday afternoon. To process the fish the following steps are performed and logged on a sheet of paper with an identification code. This information was later entered into LadÕs laptop to be analyzed later:
1. Measure the total length of the fish Ð nose to end of tail.
2. Measure the standard length Ð nose to beginning of the tail fin.
3. Identify if the two antennas were feathered, straight or missing.
4. Slice open the belly, open up the fish and take out the sex organs, which were located on the flank of the fish. These were put into vials of a formaldehyde solution and marked with the identification code to identify which fish they came from.
5. Cut out the stomach and empty the contents. If there were contents they were identified as best as possible, noted on the log, the mass was determined in mLÕs and then put in a Ziploc bag with the identification code written on the bag. It should be noted here that we found lots of different fish, shrimp and even a crab in one fishÕs gut.
6. Finally, the head was cut off and the ear bones were found, removed and placed in a vial with the identification code. I was told these would be viewed through a microscope and the age of the fish would be determined based on the number of rings.
For each day the rest of the week, we hunted and captured Lionfish and then processed them in the evening. Over the course of the week, we captured another 40 or so fish for a total of about 100 for the week. They ranged in size from 3 to 4 inches up to 10 to 12 inches (the biggest we found). Typically, we went out in two person teams where one had two nets and the other had a heavy plastic bag. The net guy would creep up and get the Lionfish. This is a lot harder than it sounds even with two nets. It sometimes took as long as 15 minutes to capture a single cantankerous Lionfish. Once the fish was captured, it was transferred to the plastic bag. Putting the first fish into the bag wasnÕt difficult Ð the subsequent fish were sometimes a challenge. The net guy would grab the Lionfish by the snout (they had a glove on), turn the net inside out and then push the fish into the bag. If there were other fish already in the bag then the bag guy had to use their forearm to hold the other fish in the bottom of the bag while the new fish was put into the front. I am happy to say that none of us was stung and we didnÕt lose any fish once caught in a net.
We found Lionfish at many different depths from 20 feet to 90 feet. The only thing they seemed to care about was their food supply. Typically, they were found under rock or coral ledges and next to something they could hunt from. Only once or twice did I come across fish that were just out in the open. On one dive, everyone in our group except me went to a small island where there was also some marshy area. I wasnÕt there but Lad did come back with a couple of Lionfish. While they were there, I stayed on the boat and went on a dive with Trevor, a Dive Master working on the AquaCat. We took a spear gun to hunt Lionfish with versus the nets. We found two Lionfish and speared them both. As an avid hunter, I had no problem with this approach. However later that evening I asked Lad why that approach wasnÕt used versus the nets. It seemed to me to be easier and safer to spear the fish versus catching it in a net. Lad said they had done that in the past but that they felt it was crueler. If the fish got away which sometimes does happen, they would limp off and die. In addition, it attracts sharks, which come around and can be bothersome. Finally, it also made dissection and identification harder.
On at least two dives, we went to sites where Lionfish had been tagged and let loose. At the first site, we found no tagged fish. At the second site, we found a fish that had a scar where they are tagged so it could have been one of the fish previously tagged but there is no telling. Regardless, Lad tagged that fish documented the site and tag number and let the fish go. Later in that dive, we found a tagged fish, which we captured. Lad measured it, recorded the data and let the fish go again.
Most of the folks on the boat didnÕt have a problem with what we were doing. However, I also heard they werenÕt thrilled with our processing the fish in the evening, as it wasnÕt very pleasant and stunk a bit. I also heard that there were at least one or 2 folks that had a problem with us capturing and killing the Lionfish regardless of their being an invasive species. However, most of the folks enjoyed pointing out Lionfish for us on the dives and came around and asked many questions to Lad.
Personally, I had a really great experience. I would do this again in a heartbeat. In signing up and going down there, I half expected this to be a little bogus. Boy was I wrong! Besides working hard, I learned a great deal and had an absolutely wonderful time. I canÕt say enough about the experience and about the dedication and professionalism of Lad.
Works Cited
Lionfish invader of the U.S. Atlantic Coast http://www.ccfhr.noaa.gov/stressors/invasivespecies/Lionfish/
Hopeful Publication
Interview of Recent AquaCat/Lionfish Study Sponsored by: http://www.reef.org/db/publications
Davidson, Osha Gray. The Enchanted Braid: Coming to Terms with Nature on the Coral Reef. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1987.
Gulick, Amy. The Alien Invasion: Non-native Species Invade the U.S.
http://www.dtmag.com/Stories/Ocean%20Science/06-02-ecoseas.htm
Glandorf, Robert. Interview with Assistant SCUBA Diver regarding the recent Capture, Tag, and Dissection of Lionfish in the Bahamian Exumas Keys.
Lambert, Bruce. A spiny invader proliferates in L.I. Waters, and Scientist Wonder About Its Impact. The New York Times, nytimes.com, 8 September 2006.
Dando, Marc and Michael Burchett. Sea life Ð A complete guide to the Marine Environment. Smithsonian Institute Press, USA 1996.
Cummins, Dr. Hays and Dr. Donna McCollum. The Reader GLG 413/513: :Tropical Marine Ecology. The Lionfish Invasion in the Bahamas, September, 2007.
For Further Info on this Topic, Check out this WWW Site: www.reef.org.
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