Ocean Explorer Magazine Miami show 2015 | Page 20

determined. However, one study by Dr. StephaAllie ElHage, the inventor of the Original nie Green, in the Bahamas, concluded that there Zookeeper, has developed a great containment was a 65% decline of small fish (lionfish prey) in device to make it safer and easier to harvest just 2 years. these spiny fish. Find them on his web-site www. Experts are carefully studying these invaders ZKstore.com or your local dive shop. to better understand their role in, and potential Lionfish trivia: on Star Trek: The Next Genthreat to Gulf, Caribbean, and Atlantic Ocean eration, Captain Picard has a pet lionfish named ecosystems. Livingston! Additionally, a mini inRemember to get in“Keeping the population in check volved and to become part dustry has risen around these spiny invaders with derbies both entertains and of the solution to this inas individuals develop puts meat in the cooler!” vasive problem, and help more effective tools for the waters in your area. removal. Although many You can report sightings to researchers agree that complete eradication of the Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) You can lionfish is impossible, there are many ways to report a lionfish sighting on the USGS.gov website. keep the population in check and protect the You can also deliver lionfish for study to lionfish native marine ecosystems. banks in the Florida Keys at numerous locations listed at deathtolionfish.org. Page 20