Category Archives: Lionfish

Conch, Lionfish, Research Programs, Student Research, Sustainable Fisheries, Visiting Scientists

Sustainable Fisheries team is busy in the wet lab!

September 5, 2014 ceiblogger

This past summer was a busy time for the sustainable fisheries team, with numerous conch and lionfish lab trials.

Students and interns observing lionfish in the lab

On the lionfish side of things, Helen, one of the visiting Newcastle students, is looking at prey density as well as whether or not it benefits lionfish to hunt in groups. She does this by adding 1 (or more) lionfish to a tank containing varying densities of prey fish (grunts) and observing the rate at which the grunts are eaten. Emily (another student from Newcastle University) is exploring prey preference in lionfish. She ran a series of trials to determine whether lionfish are more likely to attack a grunt or a damselfish if given the choice. She is now determining if lionfish rely more on visual or olfactory signals when hunting.

Oli, a third student from Newcastle, was running behavioral trials on conch. A fisherman’s tale suggests that the declining numbers of conch available is due to the fact that the animals run away from knocked shells that have been thrown back into the water by other fishermen (as opposed to overfishing). Oli is testing this explanation by dropping empty conch shells (as well as rocks as a control) in a tank with a live conch and monitoring its movement for 4 hours. We will keep you updated on the results of these trials as they progress!

Lionfish, Research Programs, SCUBA, Visiting Scientists

Update from the Oregon State University lionfish team

July 21, 2014 ceiblogger 1 Comment

Tye collecting fish — Alex collecting fish

Mark Hixon’s Ph.D. students from Oregon State University have returned to CEI for a third summer of invasive lionfish research! This year, they have been busy both above and below the water, performing field and lab experiments. Alex Davis is observing the natural locations of lionfish on large reefs in order to understand whether different types of habitat affect whether lionfish frequent certain areas of a reef and/or leave a reef altogether. Tye Kindinger is testing for competition between two native basslets (popular aquarium fish) by comparing basslets on reef ledges where the two basslets co-occur versus on ledges where she has removed all the individuals of one basslet species. She is interested in seeing whether basslets are less or more vulnerable to lionfish predation when they are competing under ledges.

Lillian Tuttle wants to know if lionfish harm the cleaner goby, a small but important reef fish because it keeps other fish healthy by picking parasites off their skin. To do this, she moved gobies to small reefs and is now comparing their survival, growth, and behavior before and after adding lionfish, and between reefs with lionfish and those without.

Led by Eric Dilley and Dr. Stephanie Green, the OSU team is also working on a lab experiment that measures how 3 small fish species react to the presence of native predators versus invasive lionfish. Can small native fish recognize and evade this novel predator? How “appropriate” is their reaction given the serious threat that lionfish pose to their survival? Alex, Tye, Lillian, and Eric are excited to be back working at CEI, and we can’t wait to see what they discover this summer about the ongoing lionfish invasion!

Conch, Lionfish, Outreach, Sustainable Fisheries

CEI hands out free lionfish at Deep Creek’s Conch Fest

June 30, 2014 ceiblogger

Prepping lionfish to hand out as samples

This year, CEI had a booth at Deep Creek’s Homecoming, called Conch Fest, that was geared towards promoting sustainable fisheries. The team was frying up lionfish samples, so local community members can sample the invasive fish that is abundant on the reefs, but also delicious to eat. The team was also promoting the “You slay, we pay” campaign, where fishermen can bring in lionfish, fillets or whole fish, to sell to CEI. The goal is to create a market for lionfish on Eleuthera.

Aside from free fish, the team also had a board with conservation trivia, hoping to dispel some common misconceptions. For example, do green turtles eat conch? The answer is no! Green turtles eat plant material like turtlegrass, and their serrated jaw is perfect for this type of diet.

The booth was open for two nights, and hundreds of lionfish samples were handed out. Thanks to everyone who participated, and the team enjoyed the opportunity to spread the word about the invasive lionfish and what we can do to help (Eat them!).

Members of CEI promoting sustainable fisheries at Conch Fest 2014

Conch, Flats, Lionfish, Research Programs, Sea turtles, Sharks, Student Research, Sustainable Fisheries, Visiting Scientists

CEI and Island School Research Symposium a big success

June 16, 2014 ceiblogger

Students on the lionfish team discuss their project with Dr. Stephanie Green.

Congratulations to all of the Spring 2014 Island School students who gave oral and poster presentations at the Research Symposium. This event is a culmination a semester-long research class, where students become involved in all aspects of research. It is a chance for them to showcase the data that they collected, along with real world implications of the work.

We had many special guests in attendance this semester:

David Knowles, Director of Parks, Dr. Ethan Freid, Chief Botanist, and Camilla Adair Deputy Preserve Manager at Leony Levy Preserve, the Bahamas National Trust

Dr. Andy Danylchuk, past Director of the Cape Eleuthera Institute and currently Assistant Professor of Fish Conservation at UMass Amherst, collaborator with Flats Ecology program at CEI

Dr. John Mandelman, Director of Research and Senior Scientist at the New England Aquarium, collaborator with Shark Research program at CEI

Dr. Brian Silliman, Associate Professor of Marine Conservation Biology at Duke Marine Lab

Dr. Jeanette Wyneken, Associate Professor at Florida Atlantic University

Dr. Mike Salmon, Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University

Dr. Stephanie Green, Postdoctoral Researcher at Oregon State University

Thank you to all of our guests, and congratulations again to the students for a job well done.

A group photo of the Spring 2014 Island School students.

Students on the flats project discuss their poster with Dr. Andy Danylchuk.

Lionfish, Research Programs

Update on the You Slay, We Pay Campaign: Mass Dissection

June 3, 2014 ceiblogger

Mass dissection and filleting of lionfish

To date, we have had a total of 220.6 lbs of lionfish brought in for the lionfish slayer campaign. Last Wednesday, much of the lionfish was dissected and filleted for the upcoming Parents Weekend. In total, 98 fish were filleted, 65 of which were fully dissected and documented. The whole day was a huge success as a steady flow of fish were photographed, de-spined, and measured, then dissected to determine sexual maturity and stomach content, and finally filleted. One giant fish set the record for the largest yet seen and documented at CEI; it weighed in at a whopping 967 grams, or 2.13 pounds, and measured 41.5 centimeters in length.

Biggest lionfish on record for Eleuthera

By the end of the day over 80 pounds of lionfish had been filleted and ready for the kitchen to prepare for visiting Island School parents. The fins were harvested for the creation of jewelry, demonstrating the multiple ways lionfish can generate income.

Conch, Flats, Lionfish, Research Programs, Sea turtles, Sharks, Student Research, Sustainable Fisheries

Island School students present their research at Parent’s Weekend

May 28, 2014 ceiblogger

Last week, the Island School campus was inundated with the parents of the Spring 2014 students. Aside from campus tours and a breathtaking art gallery, parents also got to witness the students give scientific research presentations pertaining to the research projects they have been involved with all semester.

The Deep Water research group giving their presentation.

Each presentation was ten minutes long, and followed the format of a professional scientific presentation, explaining background on the topics, the current problem, the methods used to collect data, data analysis, and interpretation of results, ending with why the project matters and what can be done in the future. Parents were thrilled to see the young scientists give their first real talk in front of a large audience. Each student group also fielded questions from the parents.

Click on the link to see a list of research topics. Continue reading →

Lionfish, Outreach, Research Programs

CEI Researcher Dr. Jocelyn Curtis-Quick presents at Tedx Nassau

May 16, 2014 ceiblogger

On Saturday, May 3rd, the first TEDx event in The Bahamas, TEDx Nassau 2014, took place. The event aimed to facilitate nationwide conversations about pressing issues in The Bahamas today, and invited speakers to discuss their solutions to these problems along with other “ideas worth spreading.”

Dr. Curtis-Quick presenting on the lionfish invasion.

Dr. Jocelyn Curtis-Quick of the CEI Lionfish program was invited to present at the event, sharing information about the latest campaign to create a lionfish fishery. She discussed the history of the lionfish invasion, some facts about the success of these invasive predators and their devastating effects on reefs, as well as the concept behind the CEI “You Slay, We Pay” campaign. She informed listeners of the efforts to encourage a lionfish fishery and addressed some of the major barriers that are at present complicating the process. She encouraged the audience to eat lionfish, ask for lionfish in restaurants and stores, and to talk to others about the invasion.

Dr. Curtis-Quick got to meet Erin and Tina from Seasonal Sunshine Bahamas, an organization that currently buys and sells lionfish in Nassau.

Dr. Curtis-Quick was honored by the invitation to participate in this TEDx event and we at CEI would like to compliment the organizers, particularly Uli Voges, Tiera Ndlovu, and Lilian Weikert on a hugely successful weekend. We would like to thank them for the opportunity to spread knowledge as well as to express gratitude to all organizers and participants for the opportunity to participate in this groundbreaking event and to enjoy enlightening, rewarding, and eye-opening conversations with many of the movers and shakers of The Bahamas.

Lionfish, Outreach, Sustainable Fisheries

Lionfish invade Rock Sound Homecoming!

April 28, 2014 ceiblogger

Part of the team working the CEI booth: Aaron, Tamanji, Liz and Alicia

CEI Lionfish team visited Rock Sound’s homecoming celebration. Amid stands selling fritters, grouper, and curry chicken the crew erected a booth dishing out free samples of lionfish ceviche, passing out brochures, and sporting the new line of t-shirts from CEI’s “You Slay, We Pay” campaign. It is at venues like these, when huge numbers of people from around the Bahamas come together to celebrate, talk, and most importantly eat, that outreach is so critical. It is not yet universal knowledge that lionfish are both edible and delicious, so having a presence at local cultural events such as this allows us to spread awareness and change minds.

This was evidenced first hand on Saturday, when many locals tried lionfish for the first time. Initially hesitant observers came forward after hearing about the process of safely filleting lionfish, discussing the benefits to many native fisheries from eating lionfish, and seeing the satisfied smiles of previous samplers. Many first-timers were visibly surprised at the clean taste of the white meat. The unanimous consensus was that the fish offers a delicious alternative to other Bahamian classics.

Slayer campaign logo

Why is this so exciting and why is outreach like this so important? The invasive and hugely harmful lionfish is a largely untapped marine resource throughout the Caribbean. However, with more and more people trying and loving lionfish at events like Saturday’s homecoming, it is hoped that demand for lionfish as a fishery will rise. Fishermen will then play a greater role in lionfish population control as they work to meet that demand with supply.

How to make your own lionfish ceviche:

1. Start with fresh lionfish fillets, and finely dice. Immerse in lime juice for 20-30 minutes.

2. While lionfish is marinating, dice green peppers, tomatoes, and onions. Place in a bowl to the side. You should have roughly equal amounts of vegetables and fish.

3. Dice a very small amount of habanero or scotch bonnet pepper into extremely small chunks.

4. Drain lime juice out of the lionfish; fish should look opaque and white.

5. In a large mixing bowl, combine chopped fish and all vegetables and peppers. Mix well, season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve and enjoy! You are promoting a sustainable fishery.

Lionfish, Outreach, Sustainable Fisheries

You Slay, We Pay!

April 7, 2014 ceiblogger 1 Comment

The ‘You Slay, We Pay’ campaign is underway. Lionfish are invasive and devastating reefs; fortunately for us, they are delicious! However, these fish are still an untapped sustainable marine resource. The Island School with CEI launched a campaign to start a lionfish fishery and are buying lionfish from local fishermen for $11/lb during this lobster closed season (April 1st – July 31st). Locals fishermen are encouraged to bring fish in – they receive an amazing lionfish slayer t-shirt when they drop off their first 15 lbs of lionfish. Additionally, we enter them in a raffle each time they bring in 15 lb of lionfish, and there will be a prize draw at the end of season to win a new pole spear and other goodies.

So how can you support this campaign? Several ways:

Eat lionfish! Please, when you are eating out, ask for lionfish! Even if it is not on the menu it is a great way to create a demand and therefore supply. * Don’t choose to eat species that are in closed fishing season or are unsustainable.

Buy a t-shirt! The purchase of your t-shirt supports the cost of ‘You Slay, We Pay’ sustainable fishery campaign. These limited edits shirts are available online now!

Click here to buy a lionfish t-shirt!

Spread the word! Wherever you are, speak with and educate people about the lionfish issue. Keep up to date on the success of this campaign through our blog and social media accounts.

Lionfish

Mitigating the Threats of Invasive Alien Species in the Insular Caribbean (MTIASIC) Project video competition

March 13, 2014 ceiblogger

Check out this video that Island School communications assistant and IS alumnus Will Strathmann (F’07) created on lionfish for the Mitigating the Threats of Invasive Alien Species in the Insular Caribbean (MTIASIC) Project video competition. The 5 minute video aims to raise awareness throughout the Caribbean and Bahamas about lionfish and what can be done to help mitigate their impact. Please enjoy the video and eat more lionfish as we await results from the competition!

Education, Research, Outreach