Abstract

The first sighting of lionfish (Pterois volitans) in Costa Rican Caribbean reefs (April 2009), prompted immediate re-sponses from academia, government, and local communities. Since then, local scientists have warned decision makers about potential expansions into the Eastern Pacific waters. Large-scale predictive cellular automaton models suggest that an inva-sion to this region would not be as successful as in the Western Atlantic. However, the academia has advised the National Commission on Lionfish Control to develop preventive and adaptive action plans, given several vulnerabilities, such as: 1) up to 97% of Costa Rican fisheries production comes from its Pacific coast; 2) lionfish ornamental value remains as high as ever, despite restrictions on import and transport of live specimens; 3) “New Panamax” canal lock design may allow longer residence and acclimation times; 4) impending construction of the Nicaragua Canal will open a new pathway for the crosso-ver; 5) tolerance to low salinity by lionfish subadults may facilitate their survival in coastal and brackish waters; 6) frequen-cy and intensity of enhanced swell, surge, and wave action arising from Antarctic storms have increased on Pacific near-shore waters; 7) rocky reef networks along Costa Rican shorelines may provide stepping stones for colonization; 8) regional decision-makers’ lack of awareness and management strategies and plans. Furthermore, the convenience of controlling and extracting lionfish specimens from no-take marine reserves is still under great controversy among state agencies. Under this scenario, an update on the state of knowledge and actions taken is provided.

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