Abstract

In 2009, the first lionfish (Pterois volitans/miles) was found in the Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel, in Quintana Roo, in the Mexican Caribbean; however, no official record was published about this finding but just anecdotic evidence. Early in 2010, we organized workshops to lobster diver-fishermen from the northern Yucatan Peninsula on lionfish biology and potential threat of invasion, and invited them to safely collect lionfish and record basic information. In late 2010, a fisherman captured the first lionfish for the Gulf of Mexico 130 km off the northern Yucatan coast, and 50 km off eastern Alacranes Reef National Park (ARNP). Fishermen showed positive responses so more workshops were organized. From 2010 to 2011, about 318 lionfish were voluntarily collected by fishermen: 1) along the coast: Rio Lagartos (N = 7, size range 141-250 mm TL), Dzilam (N = 9: 97-140 mm TL); and 2) off the coast: Bajos del Norte (N = 21; 83-217 mm TL), Cayo Arenas (N= 4; 134-180 mm TL), Criadero (reef shoal; N = 8; 100-289 mm TL), and ARNP (N = 269; 90-290 mm TL). This work showed that 1) local community participation on conservation is viable and 2) the lionfish invaded the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. This abundance represents a pale number of lionfish since collections were only on a voluntary basis. It is necessary finding ways of collaboration with monitoring initiatives in the Mexican Caribbean and establishing others (Campeche and Veracruz) to reach decisive actions for the lionfish invasion in Mexico.