Abstract

The Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois volitans), a predatory marine invader into the western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea, has caused harm to native species through its proliferation. Scientific investigations on the impacts of lionfish have been focused predominantly in tropical ecosystems, and no research has been focused on the southern portion of the South Atlantic Bight. Generally, fish life history parameters, especially growth rates, vary with a suite of environ-mental (e.g., temperature), biological and ecological (e.g., prey availability) factors; and as a result, the population dy-namics of lionfish will vary regionally and among ecosystems. This research aims to provide baseline data on population biology for lionfish in a new region, including accurate age, growth, and demographic information. Approximately 1,000 specimens of lionfish were caught between May and August 2013 off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida during local tournaments. Length frequency analysis revealed a bimodal population with distinct cohorts that are growing at an exceptional rate. Analysis of otoliths to precisely measure age and growth is ongoing. These data will be used to deter-mine lionfish: (1) size at age (2) population age structure and (3) growth rate in the region. This study will fill key knowledge gaps on population dynamics of lionfish in the South Atlantic Bight and provides information on age and growth of lionfish necessary to understanding the impacts lionfish in this region.

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