Skip to main content

NOAA Scientists Studying Keys Lionfish Invasion

New research documents a population explosion; increase of more than 200,000 fish in one year



From the press on lionfish:

For the first time since lionfish were spotted in the Florida Keys, scientists are now able to determine how many and how quickly this invasive species is taking over. In an article out today in the Bulletin of Marine Science , NOAA Fisheries' scientists along with agency partners document the abundance and rapid spread of lionfish throughout the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.



In 2010 researchers estimated there were 89,000 lionfish in the Keys, in 2011 those estimates increased six-fold to 335,000 fish, which is likely a conservative estimate since lionfish hide in the reef. Lionfish have been present in low numbers along the east coast of Florida since the 1980's, but were not reported in the Florida Keys until 2009. According to researchers, the average size of lionfish also increased. Scientists expected lionfish to eventually appear and increase in abundance in the Keys, but the rate of increase is both surprising and alarming.



“Lionfish are voracious predators and are most likely having impacts on native fish species, disrupting the ecology of the area they invade,” said Ben Ruttenberg, fishery biologist with NOAA Fisheries. “Lionfish have no natural predators in their invaded range in the Caribbean and Atlantic. With long-term monitoring, we will be able to document and understand the ecosystem impacts of this invasive predator.”



Scientists continue to ask the public to help. When people see or catch a lionfish off the Florida Keys they can visit reef.org/lionfish and report the sighting. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), working with Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF), a non-profit partner and NOAA maintains the database for lionfish sightings. Scientists continue to ask the public to help. When people see or catch a lionfish off the Florida Keys they can visit reef.org/lionfish and report the sighting.



"The detailed information that we receive from divers, fishermen, and other outdoor enthusiasts helps supplement a more formal set of records that we collect from museums, agencies, journals, and other published reports that we use to track sightings of invasive marine fishes,” said Pam Schofield, research ecologist for USGS. “This study offers a great validation of citizen reports."



This latest research and information from the public will help fishery managers make important decisions relating to protecting native fish and the ecosystem from this invasive species.



Other authors cited in this newly released publication include scientists from the USGS, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the National Park Service and the University of Miami.




GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Videos

Outboard Power and Kayaks

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Videos

Kaku Guru Trolling Motor Install

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Videos

Kaku Guru Fin Drive

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Videos

Check Out the New Old Town PDL/ePDL PRO

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Videos

Next Level With the Suspenz Catch-All Cart

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Gear

BoatWorks: Dusky Distinctives

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Gear

Reef Roundup

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Gear

Edge Quest

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Gear

Bait Stop

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Gear

Seakeeper Ride Demo

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Videos

Crescent Kayak's Fly-Weight Rigs & Ultra-Affordable Primo!

Adding a motor to your kayak offers incredible fishing utility, particularly when you need to traverse big bodies of wat...
Videos

Newport NK180PRO: Empower YOUR Fishing Utility!

Florida Sportsman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

Preview This Month's Issue

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Get the Florida Sportsman App apple store google play store

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now

Never Miss a Thing.

Get the Newsletter

Get the top Florida Sportsman stories delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, I acknowledge that my email address is valid, and have read and accept the Terms of Use