Abstract

The natural distribution of the lionfish Pterois volitans (Linnaeus, 1758) includes the Indian and Pacific oceans in a very extensive area. The finding of this fish in American and Caribbean waters is not new, but its occurrence in Cuba was confirmed in June 2007, when it was observed for the first time in the southeast region and in August, more specimens were catch in the central North region, reported by Chevalier et al. (2008). At the moment, U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) has in its data base, around 470 reports (http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/collectioninfo.asp.htm) of the occurrence of the lionfish where includes several reports of the 51 from Cuba until July of the 2008. Our goal is to explain the efforts that the Cuban research institutions are doing, to study biological and ecological aspects of the lionfish in Cuban waters. These studies are carried out by the National Aquarium of Cuba (http:// www.acuarionacional.cu), with the participation of other institutions dedicated to the marine research with the support of the CHM ("Mechanism of Facilitation for information on biodiversity in Cuba") (www.ecosis.cu/chm/chmcuba.htm), the Project PNUD/GEF (Network of Voluntary Monitoring of Early Alert) ([email protected]). Among other aspects, the study includes examine and determine the abundance and distribution of the lionfish in different zones from the Cuban archipelago; to implement a program of environmental education and to develop a data base of sighting of the species in Cuba.

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