Divers around Florida are being exposed to a new hazard—the beautiful but poisonous lionfish (Pterois volitans). The poison released by their sharp spines can cause extremely painful stings to humans -- even leading to fatalities for some people with heart problems or allergic reactions.
The lionfish is native to the tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean and has few natural enemies to help control it in the Atlantic Ocean. They are thought to have been introduced accidentally following the destruction of an aquarium caused by Hurricane Andrew. Since their appearance in the 1990s, they have spread rapidly across the Caribbean Sea and north along the United States coast as far as Rhode Island.
This invasive species poses an even greater threat to coral reef ecosystems. In the Cariibbean, studies have shown that this voracious carnivore is quickly decimating reef fish populations. The long, poisonous spines protect lionfish from predators and as native fish have never seen them before, they have no recognition of the fact that these peacocks of the sea are natural born killers. If this wasn’t bad enough, lionfish have the potential to act synergistically with other existing stressors, such as climate change, overfishing, and pollution, making this invasion of particular concern for the future of Atlantic coral reefs.
Currently, options to manage the lionfish threat are limited. They can be collected individually, which may be of localized value, but that approach offers no broad solution. Targeted fisheries may help to reduce densities at key locations.
Groupers, a known natural predator of the lionfish, could hold the key to controlling this invasive species. However, Atlantic populations are suffering from over-fishing and at their current levels they do not provide sufficient control. But there is hope through the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), a vital tool proven to aid the recovery of depleted fish populations. A well managed network of MPAs has the potential to allow sufficient levels of groupers to return which will likely provide an effective and natural means to control lionfish.
