Experts say invasive lionfish here to stay
Lionfish threaten Belize Barrier Reef System
ACCORDING to the experts, lionfish are here to stay. The problem with this invasive species is so out of control, they believe there is no effective strategy to completely turn back the clock. But stakeholders are far from throwing up their hands. Yesterday, Bahamian Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Larry Cartwright launched an initiative to manage the negative impacts of the lionfish invasion. The initiative is part of a wider regional effort to mitigate the threat of invasive species.
“The Bahamas is a part of a regional project that seeks to address a number of problems relative to various invasive alien species. The spread of lionfish in the waters of the Bahamas is the most recent example of the larger issues of invasive alien species, a problem that faces the Bahamas and many other countries,” said Mr Cartwright.
“According to experts in the field, invasive species are plants, animals or micro organisms not native to an ecosystem, whose introduction is threatening biodiversity, food security, health or economic development,” he said.
The problem with marine invasive species is exponentially worse than terrestrial species, said Elenor Phillips, programme director of the Nature Conservancy (TNC). The majority of the Bahamas’ previous invasive species have been terrestrial based, such as casuarina trees, Brazilian pepper and melaleuca.
The Bahamas is not the only country at risk, as lionfish have reached as far as Venezuela, with sightings all along the way in waters off Cuba, Jamaica and Belize. Lionfish generate an enormous number of eggs and reproduce very quickly, said Mr Cartwright.
Michael Braynen, director of Marine Resources, said any system that is out of balance is more vulnerable to threats. He said research will determine whether the general deterioration of the marine habitat in the Bahamas from human impacts over time has possibly created an environment for the lionfish to thrive in.
He said the huge groupers that used to populate Bahamian waters could have been a natural predator. He said perhaps there are other native species that could be reintroduced or stimulated to prey on juvenile lionfish and slow the rate of reproduction. The research being conducted will test the theories and point the way forward.
While the plan intends to reduce the number of lionfish where possible, the objective is not to eradicate lionfish. At this point, experts see eradication as an unrealistic expectation.
The main method to remove lionfish is using divers to physically fish them out. There are no chemicals that would kill lionfish and not be harmful to the general reef environment. To reduce the number of lionfish in a given area requires an ongoing process with daily intervention.
Focusing on protected areas is likely to be a core strategy, since protected areas have a management structure. Ms Phillips said these structures would need to be reinforced and further developed.
The ability to keep lionfish out of national parks and off protected reefs could be a useful benchmark, said Mr Braynen, although he believes the most realistic benchmark is the ability of the region to respond effectively to the next invasion before it becomes an uncontrollable problem.
The Bahamas is the only country of all the participating countries to have a National Invasive Species Strategy. When it was implemented in 2003, lionfish were not a cause for concern, as spotting started to be reported around 2004, said Ms Phillips.
Although the implementation of the 2003 plan was slow, suffering from a lack of funding, Ms Phillips said she is confident this project will produce tangible results, considering the latest initiative obtained almost $300,000 in funding to focus solely on the issue of lionfish. This is because of the project’s connection to the broader regional effort.
The major external funder is the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is the implementation agency of the Global Environment Facility. The UNEP is attracted to projects that have regional application, which is the case with lionfish research.
“The main difference is funding. Now that the funding has been identified, everything should be smooth sailing. We have the team, we know what we are targeting, so now it is just to do what we need to do,” said Mr Cartwright.
The largest export market for lionfish is in the pet industry. However, the government is not interested in encouraging the export of lionfish for pet trade, because lionfish made their way from the Indo-Pacific region to the Atlantic ocean, primarily as pets. The illegal release of these pets, most likely from North American pet owners, resulted in the spread to the Bahamas.
“Species may be beautiful and look cute in another location, but that does not mean it will be beneficial here,” said Mr Braynen.
Lionfish could become a commercially marketable marine species for Bahamian fishermen if Bahamians were to develop a taste for the fish. Public awareness campaigns are continuing to promote a consumer market.
August Moon Café was the first restaurant on the island to introduce lionfish to its menu, according to owner Catherine Chisnall. Now it is a hit feature.
“The response has been tremendous. It is a beautiful light and delicate meat. We have had lots of interest and lots of discussion, international journalists talking about it. It cooks very well Asian style: In a light crispy batter Japanese tempura style,” said Ms Chisnall.
This Christmas, the August Moon Café catered a banquet with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham where lionfish was on the menu, served British fish-and-chips style.
Ms Chisnall said the dish was devoured by party-goers in record time.
Spearfishing
Although fishermen who supply the restaurant have been stung a few times, Ms Chisnall said the only factor that limited its availability was the cold winter weather that made fishermen reluctant to go spearfishing.
Lionfish have poison-filled spines and divers can get stung if they do not handle them with care. The venom is potent enough to produce a painful experience, much worse than a wasp sting, said Mr Braynen.
But there are no immediate concerns for public safety, as the number of cases dealt with in public medical facilities has been significantly less than the government anticipated. Mr Braynen said most cases go unreported, as people usually suffer through the pain without serious injury.
“If you are envenomated by a lionfish there are several things you can do to reduce the pain. Apply heat to the area, hot water less than 110 degrees. This helps to denature the protein and reduce the pain. You can take over the counter pain relievers. You should make sure the wound is properly cleaned. If it is a deep cut you should probably seek medical attention, or if you have an allergic reaction,” said Mr Braynen.
The regional invasive species project draws together governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies, private sector interests, scientists, educators and the general public in an effort that is expected to be of national and regional significance.
The national executing agency is the Department of Marine Resources. The project team was recently assembled with Lakeshia Anderson at the helm as national project coordinator, and Frederick Arnett as research assistant.
The department is working closely with the Bahamas Environment Science and Technology (BEST) Commission, the Bahamas National Trust, The Nature Conservancy and the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF).
The regional project was officially launched in October 2009. Participating countries include the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. Source: The Tribune
