REEF Publishes Invasive Lionfish Research Program Findings

Image Source and Courtesy Travel MEMO -Lionfish Sighting

REEF -international divers volunteer program organization has released a new report revealing findings for their "Invasive Lionfish Research Program". REEF can be considered one of the most active organizations working to decrease populations Lionfish in the Caribbean - a species which is affecting the health of the Caribbean reef system decreasing small native fish populations in 50%.

The organization takes on invasive species programs in innovative ways by grouping, organizing and setting the structure for international divers to make the most of their diving experience.

REEF reported in its June -latest Edition that the new paper "Setting the record straight on invasive lionfish control: Culling works", evaluates the effectiveness of lionfish removal efforts. REEF staff co-authored the new publication published in the scientific journal PeerJ.

The paper explains the negative impacts of Invading species and the consequences they have on the environment and local life. REEF adds that sometimes -as in the case of the Lionfish a complete removal of the specie is impossible or not suitable therefore the effective strategy is to "suppress" populations by bringing down its numbers. REEF does this with simple hands on diving capture programs. After years of hard work with the support of international community divers and non-divers alike REEF concluded that when Lionfish are kept below threshold densities -in "desired reduced numbers" the native prey fish biomass increased 50-70%. Smaller fish measuring below 6 centimeters on which the Lionfish voraciously feeds on rapidly increased in numbers when the specie diminished its presence.

In the presence of lower lionfish numbers small fish populations recovered and in turn larger native fish populations also increased. These changes allowed for other important ecological functions to return into play in the Caribbean Reefs.

"Grazers and important fisheries species increased by 10-65% by the end of the experiment," REEF assures. REEF also measured the consequences of current lionfish populations in the reefs.

"Biomass of small native fishes declined by > 50% on all reefs with lionfish densities exceeding reef-specific thresholds," REEF adds. "Abandoning culling altogether would be seriously misguided and a hindrance to conservation," the organization ends.

REEF and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Lionfish Quick facts explain that lionfish were "introduced into the Atlantic via the US aquarium trade". Today they have spread from the North Carolina to South America including the Gulf of Mexico. Lionfish took over these template inviting waters in less than five years.

The fundamental base for the success of lionfish is based on the several "advantage points" which the specie has over the environment. The Caribbean reef presented a "niche" (open space of environmental energy) which suited the Lionfish perfectly.

The Lionfish behavior is that of a predator, its aggressive anatomy and adaptation skills -developed for the more competitive environment of Asian reefs to which the specie originally belongs to aided the specie in its taking over of the niche. Few species in the Caribbean reef handle Lionfish competition. It has virtually no predators. A single female lionfish can spawn over 2 million eggs.

By skilling international divers that go through REEF´s program volunteers engage in diving days, recognition, safe capture of Lionfish as well as other essential elements. Teaming up with local restaurants REEF has positioned Lionfish dishes in over 50 restaurants of the Caribbean from Dominican Republic, Mexico, Bahamas, Belize, US, Cayman Islands and several others. NOAA says Lionfish are edible and considered a delicacy. REEF says "Eat 'Em To Beat 'Em!"

Ocean Life News in Brief

Ocean Level Increase Dropping Oceans Floor: International Press reported on December 5 on the findings of new research which assures that due to ocean level increase the ocean floor is sinking. The study published online in Geophysical Research Levels used mathematical equations to accurately measure the Ocean's floor impact driven by the increased of water volume weight. Using data from 1993 to 2014 researchers found that ocean level increase is causing the Ocean floor to drop globally by the milimeters. Ocean Dead Zones Up By Four: On January 8 New York Daily reported that Ocean Dead Zones have quadrupled.Researchers warned in a new study that oxygen-starved ocean dead zones, where animals and plants are struggling to survive, have increased fourfold and it may not be reversible. The new study was published in the Journal Science. The increase of Dead Zones was linked to climate change. La Niña´s Polar Wave Hitting Hard the US -Freezing Oceans: International Press reported on the Polar Wave hitting hard the US. The event is linked by experts to the influence of La Niña. “For the past couple of weeks, parts of North America have been chilling down to record temperatures, with massive snowfall and icy cold conditions putting life at a standstill for many,” media reported. The US East Coast has been particularly badly hit with the likes of Boston down to Philadelphia reaching bone-chilling lows of near 0°F , with icy winds making it feel closer to around -10°F to -20°F. Officially 18 were dead and 100 million affected. Government of Bali Declares a Garbage Emergency: On January 5 Ocean Conservancy reported on a New Waste Management Emergency in Bali. Massive amounts of ocean debri are affecting the island. The situation has reached its peak as the Government of Bali declared a “Garbage Emergency”. Clean up works have began. “Ivory Coast Village Swallowed by Ocean Increase,” Aljazeera Reports: On January 8 Al Jazeera reported that ocean increase levels are affecting infrastructure in the Ivory Coast. “Rising tides and more frequent, devastating storms are slowly destroying what is left of Lahou-Kpanda, the offshoot of what was once a major colonial town near the mouth of the Bandama River, the longest river in Ivory Coast,” Al Jazeera reported. Arctic Ocean Radioactive Levels on the Rise: IFL Science reported on January 3 on the findings of new report which assures that radioactive levels in the Arctic Ocean are on the rise. “Concentrations of radioactive radium-228 in the Arctic Ocean increased between 2007 and 2015,” the report reads. While levels have not yet reached a mark of concern the trend is worries experts. Lauren Kipp of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution addressed the issue. New World Wide Ocean Turtle Study Says 90% of Plastic Pollution Cases Result in Death: Earth Sky Org reported on January 7 that hundreds of marine turtles die every year after getting tangled in trash in oceans and on beaches. A research published in the journal Endangered Species Research took on a World-Wide Survey covering the major oceans where turtles live. They discovered that 91 % of the entangled turtles were found dead. They also suffered serious wounds from entanglement, leading to maiming, amputation or choking. Double Whirlpools Discovered for First Time: December 4 Press reported that Double Eddies have been registered for the first time in History. Tangled up Double Eddies can travel great distances affecting ecology significantly. Eddies are a natural part of the ocean environment but double whirlpools had only been theorized by mathematicians.