NPS

An NPS diver collecting a lionfish in a hand net

The exotic Indo-Pacific Lionfish poses a threat to Biscayne National Park

The spread of the Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans and Pterois miles) in Atlantic waters has received national and international attention. It is thought that several lionfish accidentally released into Biscayne Bay during Hurricane Andrew may be the original source for many of the lionfish occurring throughout US and Caribbean waters today.  Lionfish have been reported from and/or have become established in waters throughout the Caribbean, Bermuda, and U.S. Eastern seaboard, as far north as Rhode Island. It is estimated that within the Atlantic Ocean, they are now as abundant as many native grouper species. Although lionfish were introduced into Biscayne Bay during Hurricane Andrew in 1992, lionfish sightings by park staff and/or visitors have remained rare.  Reports of lionfish within and around Biscayne National Park began surfacing in 2008, prompting park staff to develop its Lionfish Management Plan, which outlines protocol for assessing and removing this exotic species.  In June of 2009, a reported sighting was confirmed and park staff were able to locate and remove the individual.   

Once introduced, lionfish can rapidly become an established species. The introduced lionfish poses potential problems for both the environment and humans:

• They are voracious predators that appear to compete for food resources of the already depleted, commercially and ecologically important, snapper-grouper fishery.   
• They have few natural predators in the Atlantic Ocean and studies show that Atlantic predators avoid lionfish.  
• Introduced lionfish are not timid and readily approach divers and snorkelers. 
• Their venomous spines can sting park users and can cause intense pain, swelling, headache, nausea, paralysis, and convulsions. 

What can you do if you see a lionfish in Biscayne National Park?

1. Document as much information about the sighting as possible. If you have a camera, take several photographs. Information recorded should include the details in the bulleted list below. 
2. Report your sighting information to Resource Managers at Biscayne National Park via email or by phone: 786-335-3649
3. If possible, avoid handling or contacting the lionfish. If you must handle the fish, avoid touching the fins (the locations of the venomous spines). If you have removed the lionfish from the water, do not release it back into the ocean.

Types of information to record and report if you observe a lionfish in Biscayne National Park:

• Date and time of sighting
• Location of sighting (if you have a GPS, record the coordinates)
• Depth of sighting
• Habitat (coral reef, seagrass, hardbottom etc)
• Number of lionfish
• Size(s) of lionfish
• Behavior of lionfish

Click on any of the links below to download NOAA's outreach flyers:

Lionfish Outreach for SCUBA divers (English)

Lionfish Outreach for anglers (English)

Lionfish Outreach (Spanish)