Abstract

Lionfish (Pterois volitans) were introduced to the Atlantic in the 1980s, with the first confirmed sighting in Belize in 2008. The species is now well established throughout the country, promoting concerns for threatened fish stocks and overall coral reef health. The mean frequency of lionfish sightings in Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, northern Belize, increased between 2011 (1.9 fish/hr ± 0.1 SEM) and 2012 (2.7 fish/hr ± 0.2 SEM), coupled with a significant up-ward shift in size class frequency distribution (?² = 333.74, d.f. = 4, p < 0.01). The majority of sightings (89%) were made on the forereef. Culled lionfish were dissected to record stomach contents, sex and maturity. A change in diet was observed between years: in 2011, the majority of prey items were fish, including parrotfish, wrasse, damselfish and grouper. However, in 2012 invertebrates, predominantly shrimp, comprised the majority of the diet. A similar change in lionfish diet has been observed in Port Honduras Marine Reserve, southern Belize. Results also confirm that lionfish in Belize reproduce throughout the year. With market development heralded as the most feasible management solution to prevent lionfish population growth and spread, protected areas may provide a refuge not only for native species, but also lionfish. Given that consistent removal of more than one third of the population is required to prevent population growth and expansion, an open-minded approach to developing alternative management solutions for the invasion within protected areas must be applied.

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