NOAA Scientists Hunt for “Lions” in the Atlantic Divers and deep-water fishermen along the Atlantic Coast may encounter lionfish, venomous coral reef fishes that have found their way into east coast waters. Scientists from NOAA will conduct field studies this summer to examine the status of the lionfish population and examine life history characteristics to determine the risk of lionfish to Atlantic coast ecosystems. The public is encouraged to report all lionfish sightings and collections to Paula Whitfield at the NOAA Beaufort Laboratory, (252) 728-8714 or by e-mail:
In March, the first known capture of a lionfish by hook and line occurred off the coast of North Carolina. The fish was 17 inches long and weighed 2.5 lbs. It’s the largest specimen to date in the Atlantic. Lionfish are venomous coral reef fishes from the Indian and western Pacific oceans that have invaded East Coast waters. They were likely first introduced off the Florida coast in the early to mid 1990s and by the summer of 2000 were found along the Atlantic coast of the United States from Florida to Cape Hatteras, N.C. NOAA scientists conclude that lionfish are established and reproducing along the southeast United States coast. It is likely that the introduction of lionfish in the Atlantic is from either intentional or unintentional releases related to the aquarium trade including amateur home aquarists.
Lionfish have distinctive red, maroon and white stripes; fleshy tentacles above the eyes and below the mouth; fan-like pectoral fins; and long separated dorsal spines. All of the spines on a lionfish are venomous, creating a danger to primarily divers and fishers if stung. Researchers urge caution to anyone who encounters these fish. Lionfish also are believed to pose particular risks to the local environment. They are voracious predators that feed not only on small shrimps but also on large fishes, perhaps including the young of important commercial fish species such as snapper and grouper, many of which use the region’s “live bottom” reefs as nursery grounds. The invasive lionfish have few if any natural predators in their new Atlantic environment.
NOAA Scientists Hunt for “Lions” in the Atlantic
Divers and deep-water fishermen along the Atlantic Coast may encounter lionfish, venomous coral reef fishes that have found their way into east coast waters. Scientists from NOAA will conduct field studies this summer to examine the status of the lionfish population and examine life history characteristics to determine the risk of lionfish to Atlantic coast ecosystems. The public is encouraged to report all lionfish sightings and collections to Paula Whitfield at the NOAA Beaufort Laboratory, (252) 728-8714 or by e-mail:
pa*************@no**.gov.
In March, the first known capture of a lionfish by hook and line occurred off the coast of North Carolina. The fish was 17 inches long and weighed 2.5 lbs. It’s the largest specimen to date in the Atlantic. Lionfish are venomous coral reef fishes from the Indian and western Pacific oceans that have invaded East Coast waters. They were likely first introduced off the Florida coast in the early to mid 1990s and by the summer of 2000 were found along the Atlantic coast of the United States from Florida to Cape Hatteras, N.C. NOAA scientists conclude that lionfish are established and reproducing along the southeast United States coast. It is likely that the introduction of lionfish in the Atlantic is from either intentional or unintentional releases related to the aquarium trade including amateur home aquarists.
Lionfish have distinctive red, maroon and white stripes; fleshy tentacles above the eyes and below the mouth; fan-like pectoral fins; and long separated dorsal spines. All of the spines on a lionfish are venomous, creating a danger to primarily divers and fishers if stung. Researchers urge caution to anyone who encounters these fish. Lionfish also are believed to pose particular risks to the local environment. They are voracious predators that feed not only on small shrimps but also on large fishes, perhaps including the young of important commercial fish species such as snapper and grouper, many of which use the region’s “live bottom” reefs as nursery grounds. The invasive lionfish have few if any natural predators in their new Atlantic environment.