ECOMAR launched the "Lionfish: Wanted Dead or Alive"
campaign In conjunction with the Belize Fisheries Department
in December 2008 after a lionfish was sighted at Turneffe.  By
Jan 2010 lionfish are being sighted on most dive sites
throughout Belize and lobster pot fishermen are also
capturing lionfish in their lobster traps.  The fishermen from
Sarteneja, Chunox and Copperbank that travel the coast of
Belize on sailboats are also reporting numerous lionfish
especially at Norther Turneffe and Lighthouse Atoll.  

Scientists are predicting that lionfish will consume traditional
fishery products which can have a grave impact on our
already stressed fish stocks of fish and lobster.  ECOMAR is
launching the COMPACT Lionfish Program in Jan 2010 which
will have monthly prizes for top fisherman, top boat, and top
tour guide who captures the most lionfish in on month.  
Already one sailboat who fishes at Glover's Atoll has brought
in over 75 lionfish in December.  The lionfish range in size
from 2 to 7 inches.  The traditional sailboat fishermen are
marksmen when it comes to shooting these lionfish and are
ready to help manage the invasve lionfish in order to protect
the traditional species that are harvested in Belize.
Belize Lionfish Project
Locations of Confirmed Lionfish Sightings
Please also report lionfish sightings to the United States
Geological Survey so they can include in the Aquatic
Invasive Species Database.

http://nas.er.usgs.gov/SightingReport.asp

You can also find the most comprehensive online
compilation of lionfish sightings, as well as a recently
updated fact sheet:

http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=963
REPORTING TO USGS
  • New fish species not native to Belize,  Caribbean or
    Atlantic.
  • Known to consume 80% of young reef fish,
    including parrotfish and grouper, but are also
    known to eat small crustaceans like lobsters.
  • If allowed to become widespread, can cause
    further declines in fish and lobster populations.
  • Impacts can mean less fishery products and
    reduction in reef health.
  • To help prevent population explosion, ALL sighted
    fish MUST be caught NOW.
  • Extreme caution must be taken when capturing
    due to toxic dorsal, anal and pelvic spines. Use a
    net if available.
QUICK FACTS
The introduction of lionfish into the Wider Caribbean
Sea is believed to have originated South Florida when
several lionfish were known to have been released
into the sea.  The shallow tropical waters of the
Bahamas has witnessed a population explosion over a
period of 4 years between 2004 and 2008.  Bahamian
fishermen are now harvesting lionfish for
consumption since they are among the largest fish in
the sea.

Lionfish are voracious predators and can consume
almost 80% of juvenile fish recruits including the
important fishery export products like snappers and
groupers, and parrotfish, which help keep the coral
reefs clean of algae.  Lionfish are also known to eat
crustaceans, like the spiny lobster.  In 30 minutes a
lionfish was observed eating more than 20 fish!

Many countries in the Caribbean are developing
response plans to mitigate the negative impacts
lionfish have on native fish populations and the coral
reef ecosystems.  ECOMAR is working with the
National Coral Reef Monitoring Network's Lionfish
Committee on developing a National Lionfish
Response Plan that will be presented to stake holders
throughout Belize.

All Reef Regulars - fishermen, divers and snorkelers -
are being encouraged to capture and or report all
lionfish sighted.
Click the "Lionfish: Wanted Dead or Alive"
campaign poster above for a PDF version you
can print out and display.
WHY LIONFISH POSE A THREAT TO THE BELIZE
BARRIER REEF & TRADITIONAL FISHERIES
To receive a free Lionfish Toolkit which includes a Lionfish
Fact Sheet and a net, please contact ECOMAR.
LIONFISH HUNTER TOOLKITS
AVAILABLE FOR REEF REGULARS
If you would like to make a donation to the Lionfish Project please
call 671-3483 or email linda@ecomarbelize.org.  All donations will
be used in the production of the Lionfish Toolkits.  Additional
rewards are also being accepted by companies wishing to make
cash or item donations.
NORTHERN BELIZE
17 Princess Margaret Dr. LF, PO Box 1234, Belize City, Belize
TEL: + (501) 671-3483, FAX: +(501) 223-7007
Email: linda@REMOVEecomarbelize.org, www.ecomarbelize.org
Conservation through Education!
HISTORY OF LIONFISH OBSERVED IN BELIZE
For the first six months the numbers of lionfish sighted in Belize were recorded and their
history is presented on the pages below.  Click these pages if you are interested in learning
more about where the first lionfish were being observed.  Initially the northern part of Belize
including Ambergris Caye and Turneffe and Lighthouse Atolls were infested with larger
numbers of lionfish and towards the end of 2009 they were being sighted in southern Belize.
ECO/ECOMAR is a charitable company registered under
the laws of Belize.  If you would like to help support any
of our projects please make a donation today!  
Check back soon for updates on the COMPACT Lionfish Program and winners of the monthly lionfish
tournaments and the prizes being offered for the most lionfish captured.  This project aims to overfish
lionfish before they can become abundant in Belize's waters.  The traditional sailboat fishermen will be
key in keeping their numbers down so their traditional fishery product stocks are not reduced further.