Abstract

Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans/ P. miles) have rapidly established dense populations throughout the Western Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico (USGS 2013). This marine predator invasion is now among the most destructive in history (Côté et al. 2013), and resource managers across the region are now actively devising strategies to suppress their populations (Morris et al. 2012). One tool that is proving effective at increasing local awareness of the invasion is the creation of lionfish fishing derbies or tournaments, but whether derby events are an effective means to control local lionfish populations, and the area over which they may affect control, remain unknown. In this study, we evaluated the magnitude and scale of lionfish population suppression achieved during two annual derbies over two years (2012 - 2013) located in Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas and in Key Largo, Florida.

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