Implementation of the Management Plan

For the Control of the Lionfish In Puerto Rico

2004 Water Sports Industry 1997 UPR Humacao Marine Biology Program

Carmen Rosa Valentn

Luis Ral Saez

Geovanny Negrn

Joel Melndez

Everything Start
July 25, 2007
Caribbean

Photo: Jaime Matos

Vieques
November 14, 2008

Everything Start
Fuete y Verguilla en Octubre 2008 (Volumen 2, Nmero 4)
Sr. Daniel Matos Los beneficios de las Vedas para los Pescadores comerciales/ The benefits of the fishing seasons for commercial fishermen
Las especies marinas pueden ser sobre explotadas y pueden desaparecer / Marine species can be overfished and can disappear

Fishing gear and methods / regulations

Everything Start
Vieques
November 14, 2008

Photo: Jaime Matos

Everything Start
GIS Overlap
Ecosystems The People (Divers, Fisherman's, Water Sport, Public) Lionfish

Not in my Backyard
Marinas Buzos Arrecife Deportes Acu

cartoonstock.com
Pblico

Manglar Protegemos Ambiente

Everything Start
March 5, 2010
William C. Coles, Ph.D.
USVI, Chief Environmental Education Aquatic Education Coordinator Division of Fish and Wildlife 45 Mars Hill Frederiksted, VI 00840

Train the Trainers

340-772-1955

AGENDA
Background and history of invasion Lionfish biology/ecology Identification Venom and first aid Impacts Research Caribbean and PR actions/strategies Reporting TUBATA USA Credit System Market development Export Collecting and handling techniques Tools (What gear you need?) Preparation for consumption Discussion Handling practice

Where is their native habitat?

Lionfish Range

Is this the only invasive species reported in the Caribbean?

Florida Marine Fish Introductions

Background and History of the Invasion

Lionfish spreading
Florida (Dania)
Octubre de 1985

Florida (Palm Beach)

1992

Theories - 1

Theories - 2

Theories - 3

Theories - 4

Theories - 4

LionFish
Biology & Ecology

Common names - Lion Fish

Turkeyfish Scorpionfish Firefish Common lionfish Red firefish Red lionfish In spanish Pez Pavo Real Pez Escorpin Pez Dragn

Lennaeus (1758)

Family Scorpaenidae
Divided in three groups
Pterois (lionfishes)
Long, slender spines with small venom glands and a less potent sting Pterois antennata Dendrochirus brachypterus Dendrochirus zebra Parapterios heterurus Pterois volitans Pterois milles

 Scorpaena (scorpionfishes)
Shorter and thicker spines with larger venom glands and a more potent sting (eg, scorpionfish, bullrout, sculpin)

Scorpaena plumieri

 Synanceia (Stonefish) Stout, powerful spines with highly developed venom glands and a potentially fatal sting.

Family Scorpaenidae
12-13 dorsal spines 2 pelvic spines 3 anal spines Each one associated with venomous glands

Lion Fish
Venomous

Venomous

Venomous

What size they could reach?

Lionfish sizes

Smallest collected = 28mm (1-1/8 inch) (1-5/8 inch STX) Largest collected = 474mm (18-2/3 inches) (20+ inch, NC) Max size in native range ~ 320-350mm (12.5 to 13.75 inches)

Sizes reported in Puerto Rico

Smallest reported: 42 mm/ 1.65 inches

Biggest reported: 406.4 mm 16 inches

Jose Gilberto Martnez's

What Time we can see it?

Juveniles and adults are in the same habitat!

Where they could be found?

Behavior

What they Eat?

 Fichelson (1997)
Stomach
Increase Volume 30%

Can live without food

12 weeks

30 minutes
22 Fishes

Jose Gilberto Martnez's

21 - Two inch Grunts in a single 12 inch long Lionfish

Lionfish in Bahamas,
notice what is not present

Photo by Rich Carey (2008) Little Dutch Boy Wreck, N.P. Bahamas)

How they reproduce?

Fishelson 1975
Gonocoricos
Mantienen su identidad sexual durante toda la vida

Poco Dimorfismo Sexual

Diferencia entre machos y hembras Solo es aprecialbe en la epoca reproductiva

Morris et al., 2009

La estacionalidad de la reproduccin del pez len es desconocida en su lugar de origen, pero los estudios en Carolina del Norte y Las Bahamas, sugieren que se

reproducen durante todo el ao

3- Al subir ambos a la superficie la hembra libera de 20,000 a 30,000 huevos lo cual el macho los fertilizar externamente siendo arrastrado por la corrientes.

4- Al cabo de las 36 horas comienza la fase larval y siguen siendo desplazados por las corrientes marinas.

2- El cortejo comienza cuando el macho empieza a ondular su aleta dorsal y sus dos aletas pectorales. Luego la hembra alinea su mirada hacia el y suben a la superficie.

Ciclo de vida del Lionfish

5- Al desarrollarse y llegar a una medida de se considera un organismo juvenil se desplazan hacia el arrecife para empezar su vida como cazadores.

1- Al encontrarse un macho de 4 y una hembra de 7 comienza el rito conocido como cortejo.

6- Al llegar a un tamao de 4 o 7 se consideran adultos lo cual son aptos para reproducirse cada 4 das durante su vida los cual pueden llegar a vivir de 5 a 15 aos.

The female lionfish releases a mucus sack of eggs, and fertilization is achieved externally. The egg sack floats for a while and over time the mucous membrane will deteriorate releasing the eggs into the water column.

They have the ability to spawn throughout the year.

Mature female Total length= 275mm / 10.8 inches

How do I recognize a lionfish?

Lion Fish - Identification

Lion Fish - Identification

Lion Fish - Identification

Lion Fish Identification

Lion Fish - Misidentifications

Spotted Drum / guinea Equetus punctatus

Highhat (en Puerto Rico) Pareques acuminatus

Spotted Scorpionfish / rascana / rascaso / pez piedra / Scorpaena plumieri

Flying Gurnard / gaviln Dactylopterus volitans

Lion Fish - Misidentification

Schoolmaster / pargo amarillo / pargo rubio Lutjanus apodus

Princess Parrotfish / cotorro / loro Scarus taeniopterus

Longspined Squirrelfish / gallo / candil / candilero Neoniphon marianus

Lion Fish - Misidentification

Poliqueto

Lion Fish - Misidentification

VENOM & First Aid

12-13 Dorsal spines venomous

Remember!!!
Pectoral fins Non-venomous

2 Pelvic spines (one each side) Venomous

3 anal spines Venomous

Spines

Photos by Jose R. Almodovar University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus

Lionfish spines
Neurotoxin (which interfere with the neuromuscular transmission) There are no antidote Antidote for the stone fish in Asia, could be used. Aquatic Toxins Hotline, Florida Poison Control Information Center 1-888-232-8635 Puerto Rico 1-800-222-1222

Medical Data
Envenomations is progressively worse from Pterois (LionFish) to Scorpaena (Rascana) to Synanceia (Pez Piedra) species.

101 described cases of captive lionfish 2009

92% of patients experienced local pain 60% experienced edema 13% experienced systemic symptoms 0% fatalities

Medical Data
Wounds
95% of the wounds were found to be grade I (erythema) 4% were found to be grade II (vesicle formation) 1% were found to be grade III (tissue necrosis) First Aid
hot-water immersion therapy in 97% of the patients, One patient required intravenous antibiotics one hypotensive patient responded well to intravenous fluids, 13% of patients had variable, less severe, systemic symptoms

Stonefish

Lionfish

First Aid Response

Revise the affected area If the affected area is an extremity (legs and hands), it could be elevated to reduce pain and inflammation. Clean the area, removing any spine or tissue. Dont stop the first bleeding, this allow the toxins to get out. When the area is clean, then put it in hot water (NOT BOILING). The hot water will relieve the pain, neutralizing the toxins. Antiseptic and topical antibiotic could be used, to avoid secondary infections

IMPACTS

How far it could get?

10.98 C

Puerto Rico
ACTIONS / STRATEGIES

Some Areas Low Visibility Season

Habitats

Seagrass (Dra. Roberson)

Mangrove (Pedro Padilla)

Reef (Pedro Padilla)

Natural & Artificial Structures

Jaime Matos

People Concentration & Natural Reserves

Organize the Program: Cooperation Levels

Operaciones Supervisor de Operaciones Responsable de Apoyo Administracin Gerencia Apoyo Logstica de Campo Seguridad y Proteccin Emergencias Pescadores Tcnicos de Respuesta Rpida Estudiantes Mdicos Restaurantes

Operaciones Logstica de Campo Seguridad y Proteccin Emergencias

Pescadores Gobierno Comunidades Tcnicos de Respuesta Rpida Estudiantes Mdicos Restaurantes

Work
Fallow up
How are you? What you need?

Pblico

Marinas
Buzos Arrecife Deportes Acu Manglar Protegemos Ambiente

Provide what they need when things are not working

Act

Keepers

Rosa Valentin Vision / Luis Saez

Education, Outreach & Training

Commercial & Ornamental Fisherman's

Recreational Fisherman's

Water Sports Industry & Scuba Diving Industry

NGOs

Restaurants

Lionfish Markets

Detection & Removal

Detection

Removal

Hotels

Restaurants

Monitoring & Data gathering

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

Data Analysis & Reporting

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

Education, Outreach & Training

Commercial & Ornamental Fisherman's

Recreational Fisherman's

Water Sports Industry & Scuba Diving Industry

NGOs

Restaurants

Lionfish Markets

Detection & Removal

Detection

Removal

Hotels

Restaurants

Monitoring & Data gathering

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

Data Analysis & Reporting

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

Education, Outreach & Training

Commercial & Ornamental Fisherman's

Recreational Fisherman's

Water Sports Industry & Scuba Diving Industry

NGOs

Restaurants

Lionfish Markets

Detection & Removal

Detection

Removal

Hotels

Restaurants

Monitoring & Data gathering

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

Data Analysis & Reporting

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

Education, Outreach & Training

Commercial & Ornamental Fisherman's

Recreational Fisherman's

Water Sports Industry & Scuba Diving Industry

NGOs

Restaurants

Lionfish Markets

Detection & Removal

Detection

Removal

Hotels

Restaurants

Monitoring & Data gathering

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

Data Analysis & Reporting

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

Education, Outreach & Training

Commercial & Ornamental Fisherman's

Recreational Fisherman's

Water Sports Industry & Scuba Diving Industry

NGOs

Restaurants

Detection & Removal

Part 1 - Seminar - General Information

Detection Removal Hotels Restaurants

Lionfish Markets

Monitoring & Data gathering

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

Data Analysis & Reporting

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

Education, Outreach & Training

Commercial & Ornamental Fisherman's

Recreational Fisherman's

Water Sports Industry & Scuba Diving Industry

NGOs

Restaurants

Part 2 - Workshop How to make Ornamental Fishing tools

Detection & Removal
Detection Removal

Lionfish Markets

Hotels

Restaurants

Monitoring & Data gathering

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

Data Analysis & Reporting

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

Education, Outreach & Training

Commercial & Ornamental Fisherman's

Recreational Fisherman's

Water Sports Industry & Scuba Diving Industry

NGOs

Restaurants

Detection & Removal

Part 3 Water Training How to Used

Detection Removal Hotels Restaurants

Lionfish Markets

Monitoring & Data gathering

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

Data Analysis & Reporting

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

Education, Outreach & Training

Commercial & Ornamental Fisherman's

Recreational Fisherman's

Water Sports Industry & Scuba Diving Industry

NGOs

Restaurants

Detection & Removal

DATABASE
Detection Removal

Lionfish Markets

Hotels

Restaurants

Monitoring & Data gathering

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

Data Analysis & Reporting

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

Lionfish Markets

Detection & Removal

Detection

Removal

Hotels

Restaurants

Monitoring & Data gathering

Data Analysis & Reporting

Lionfish Credit Program Laws & Regulation Tools for report

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

UMET

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

Support
Pure Adventure Fideicomiso Conservacin DNAR Managers NR

Aguadilla Lionfish Derby

January 2011

Law & Regulation

22.1. En el caso de cualquiera de las especies del pez len (Pterois volitans, Pterois miles) se permite
a. su exportacin sin lmite b. el uso de juveniles del pez len como carnada
d. su pesca se podr realizar a cualquier hora del da o de la noche.e. su captura sin necesidad de cumplir con los requisitos de un Permiso de Control de Especie Dainas, segn descritos en Artculo 19.2 de este Reglamento (no es necesario un memorial explicativo, entrega de resum, limitacin de zona, ni permisos de propsitos cientficos y educativos).

c. su pesca en zonas de manglar, laguna, muelles, estuarios o canales de agua interconectando cuerpos de agua dulce con un cuerpo de agua salada

f. su captura en Reservas Naturales, Reservas Marinas, reas de Planificacin Especial o reas cerradas a la pesca (no take zones), solamente mediante una autorizacin escrita del Secretario para voluntarios titulada Autorizacin Especial para Voluntarios de Captura de Pez Len.g. utilizar artes de pesca como arpn, figa, hawaiian sling u objeto punzante o redes de mano de peces ornamentales u otras redes aprobadas por el Departamento para captura del pez len, en combinacin con equipo Scuba o Hookah, solamente mediante una autorizacin escrita del Secretario titulada Autorizacin Especial para Voluntarios de Captura de Pez Len.

Lionfish Markets

Detection & Removal

Detection

Removal

Hotels

Restaurants

Monitoring & Data gathering

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

Data Analysis & Reporting

Coral Reef Condition

$4.00 Credit per Lionfish +

$1.00 report

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

Terry Chevako Bava

www.caribbeanlionfish.org

Lionfish Markets

Restaurants Aasco
El Fogn de la Curva $1.00 x Pound ChoPHouse 9 Lionfish minimum La Parrilla $1.50 x Pound

Hotels

Restaurants

Dorado

Gastronomic Inns

Luquillo

Detection & Removal

Restaurants

Lionfish Markets

Hotels

Restaurants

Gastronomic Inns

Restaurants

Monitoring & Data gathering

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

Data Analysis & Reporting

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

Monitor Data gat

Coral Reef Condition

Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Gastronomic Inns

Data Analysis & Reporting

Coral Reef Condition

Fish Populations Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Invertebrates Populations, Mangroves, SeaGrass Beds, Coral Reef

Stomach Content In LionFish

Detection & Removal

DNA Results
February 30, 2011

Report - Lion Fish No take zones

Universities & NGO,s Natural Reserves Low People Concentration

Habitat Description & Fish Population

Reefs
January 1, 2011

Seagrasses
January 1, 2011

Mangrove
April 30, 2011

 www.caribbeanlionfish.org Mayor Update

Directory
Who is doing What?

Education Materials (Free)

Power Points / Videos

Publishing Date: January 1, 2011

Important Point 2010 & 2011

Support to the Communities
Seminars & Workshops

New Videos for 2011

Eat the Lionfish & Protect our Fish (Kids)

Fishing Regulations Amendments - OK Lionfish Markets

Fajardo, Aguadilla, Ponce

Continue Telling the People

Never Give UP!!!
www.mascurioso.com

Taller
Materiales
2 Fotos 2x2 Tijera Dedal Aguja (Curva de tabaco) Alicate Tape Navaja para cartn Botella de Gatorade 32 oz vaca Cautn (punta fina) Hilo de pescar

COLLECTION AND HANDLING TECHNIQUES

TOOLS (WHAT GEAR YOU NEED)

Protection off hands

Hexarmor Sharpmaster II 9014 Average price - $40

Hexarmor Sharpmaster 7080 Average price - $45

Tools

Tools

Lionfish Marker

Trap to collect the Lionfish

Materials

Materials Budgets

Procedures

Procedures

Procedures.

Nest For Lionfish

Materials

Materials Budgets

Procedures

Procedures

Procedures

Procedures

Vs.

www.caribbeanlionfish.org

HANDLING TECHNIQUES
PREPARATION

Thanks
Reinaldo Rios Johnathon Fulop
Caribbean & Eastern Canada Sales Representative

Anna Backe
National Sales Manager, TUSA

Tamara Trinidad

Dr. Robert Mayer

Joseph Joe Gulli

Susan Soltero

Noemi Pea

Craig Lilyestrom

Dr. William Coles

Carlos Mendez

Fisherman Associations of Aguadilla Fisherman Association of Catao Marcos Hanke Capt. Jose Carlos Gonzalez

Brenda Bell Cerezo

Fred Lentz

Questions or Comments?