This semester the Lionfish Island School Research Class students will focus on the interaction between the invasive lionfish and the native spiny lobster. It has been scientifically established that the lionfish invasion has a negative effect on the native marine life, with recruitment of native fish being reduced by 80% by a single lionfish.However, the economic impact has not been assessed.
The people of the Bahamas depend largely on their marine resources, particularly the lobster fishery, which is the largest fishery in the country. A recent study found an inverse relationship between lionfish and lobster in lobster shelter traps (condos). Where lionfish were present in the traps the density of lobster was lower. This suggests that there is conflict for habitat between the species. This conflict and its implications will be examined by the Lionfish Island School research class.
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