Divers Fight the Invasive Lionfish | National Geographic

The lionfish is invading Florida's coastal waters, harming native wildlife and habitat. This non-native species has venomous spines, lacks natural predators, and is able to reproduce quickly, which allows it to dominate other fish species that compete for resources. Divers are helping researchers catch the fish to learn more about its biology and develop ways to control the population.

#NationalGeographic #Lionfish #InvasiveSpecies

About National Geographic:
National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Through their world-class scientists, photographers, journalists, and filmmakers, Nat Geo gets you closer to the stories that matter and past the edge of what's possible.

Get More National Geographic:

VIDEOGRAPHER: Joe Kistel
SENIOR PRODUCER: Jeff Hertrick
EDITOR: Jennifer Murphy
SPECIAL THANKS: Captain Grayson Shepard, Alex Fogg, Meaghan Faletti, Larry Davis, Mary Kate Swenarton

Divers Fight the Invasive Lionfish | National Geographic

National Geographic

[dasupasin]

Those fish are calm as fuck even when their buddies were being speared.

[aceholeas]

We just need to spread a rumor in China that they have medicinal properties

[dyscea]

Lionfish: They got Bob. There goes Pete. Looks like they got Joe, too. I am not alarmed at all. Nope.

[chrisslowey]

2 guys went on the show “Shark Tank” to educate everyone on the plight of the ocean bed and the dangers that Lion fish cause, in addition to promoting lion fish consumption. They were laughed right out of the studio and I think they missed a great opportunity because this is a serious issue.

[GuMpAkC]

They used to be a huge problem in Florida. I'm seeing less of them. I have speared thousands, they taste excellent and They seem like less of a problem now than they were 10 years ago.

[putput]

The fact that it didnt scatter away when its friend was speared is just hilarious. Like its totally normal

[hooktonfonniks]

Dear others in the aquarium hobby: don't release unwanted fish from your tanks into local waterways!

[AdamLComic]

crazy to see how unbothered they are as other fish get speared right next to them. shows that they aren’t scared of predators in a way.

[jmowreader]

Do you REALLY want to get rid of these little bastards once and for all? It is very simple: Get all the Food Network and Cooking Channel show hosts to feature lionfish. Add lionfish to the ingredient baskets on Chopped. Get someone like Danny Meyer to feature it in his restaurants, and get the Associated Press to talk about dining on lionfish in its food coverage. Two years later, lionfishes will be endangered. It worked like a charm for the Patagonian toothfish - aka "Chilean Sea Bass."

[Prohibitorum]

"It's an invasive species! What can we do?"
"How about we eat them all?"

[mrobject]

Someone: I heard lionfish are good for male enhancement.
Lionfish: Goes extinct.

[dominicmanester]

Even though I know he's violently murdering those Lionfish, I can't help but see it as picking up sea-trash.

[karl_fookin_tanner]

i could watch lionfish being speared all day

[michaelweston]

I'm glad that they are docile, it makes them so much easier to catch.

[barbaracoleman]

I always liked watching them slowly swim in the fish tanks in the pet store. When I worked at a local aquarium, I even taught one to spit water at anyone leaning over his tank. The look on the curator's face was priceless when he got splashed!

[WilliamLai]

just work with the Chinese to promote consumption of lion fish. They should be all gone from the area in no time.

[chaddurante]

Earlier this year I met a guy in Eleuthera, Bahamas who was one of the leaders there in the effort to kill the Lionfish. I love Eleuthera and its reefs, I'd hate to see an invasive species destroy all of its beauty.

[chgaming]

**Sees friend getting speared**

Lionfish: well there he goes

[ChosenCee]

I like how the lionfish see one of their own get speared in the head & go on about their day as if nothing happened.

[whackyjinak]

That's a lot of freaking lionfish!