Spear vs Spine: Barbadian Lionfish Derby
Just around the corner on Saturday May 24th is a lionfish derby right here in Barbados!
Who? Coastal Zone Management Unit in collaboration with many sponsors and friends
What? Lionfish derby and cookoff
Why? To: increase awareness on these invasive and predatory creatures including how to handle and cook them; increase efforts on culling to lessen their numbers and thus impacts on coral reefs and associated species, fisheries and tourism
Where? Island wide diving except no spearing in Folkestone Marine Park followed by weigh in and cook off at Harbour Lights, Bay Street
When? May 24th, 2014 Sunrise to Sundown with weigh in starting at 12pm followed by a 1pm cookoff
What is a lionfish?
Lionfish are members of the scorpionfish family native to the Indo-Pacific but now found in many other waters including the Caribbean. They are voracious predators that reproduce year-round and have venomous spines which if not handled properly can inflict harm (apply hot water if this does happen!)
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| The Pterois volitans species of lionfish |
What is a derby and why are we having one?
A derby is a large scale culling event where divers and fishers will compete to catch as many of these predatory fish as possible.
We are usually taught that something of this sort would be frowned upon in conservation but due to the invasive nature, reproductive ability and absence of natural predators of the lionfish, a drastic measure such as ongoing derbies are needed to increase efforts to reduce these fish.
We are usually taught that something of this sort would be frowned upon in conservation but due to the invasive nature, reproductive ability and absence of natural predators of the lionfish, a drastic measure such as ongoing derbies are needed to increase efforts to reduce these fish.
Details of the derby:
Teams will go out from sunrise to 12 pm where fish will be weighed in, followed by a 1pm cookoff by divers and some of the island's top chefs; Marco Festini-Comer of Daphne’s Restaurant, Danny Oshea of Mojos restaurant, Renrick Williams of Bajan Boyz Entertainment, Henderson Butcher of Divi Southwinds and Oliver Hinds of the Waves Hotel. There will also be an educational booth with safety demonstrations on handling of the fish as well as a first aid station if needed.
Prizes to be won include a sling spear from Hazell's Water World, vouchers for a cruise on the Jolly Roger ship, an afternoon dive from Dive High Tide Watersports, a $500 value prize from Eat Street & Co., lionfish prints and more!
If interested in being part of a team, there will be a captain's meeting on Thursday 15th May, 2014 at 7pm at the Fisheries Division where at least one member from each team must be present.
Check out the Lionfish Barbados Facebook page, contact me for more information on the event, to sign up and receive liability forms and waivers and keep an eye out for information in the newspapers, on radio stations and tv like this article: http://www.barbadostoday.bb/2014/05/07/lionfish-derby-cook-off/
Hope to see you on Saturday 24th May at the lionfish derby where you can sample some of this delicious fish and have a great day!
Nikola*
Nikola*
