Abstract

The invasive lionfish is a venomous, voracious predator currently causing ecological and economic harm throughout the Caribbean. Since their confirmation in the Caribbean region over two decades ago, a variety of management schemes have been established to quell their future spread. Education is a key aspect which governs the success of any invasive species management program. In the Caribbean, lionfish education schemes range from simple, local means via posters, brochures and newspapers to television and radio announcements to more regional and international means via social media and the internet. In the Caribbean, lionfish education schemes have had varying success rates. The type of media utilised, the target audience and their literacy levels and reinforcement are instrumental factors which are often overlooked. Trinidad and Tobago, Anguilla and Bonaire represent islands which are all at different stages of the lionfish invasion and the development of their education schemes. Trinidad and Tobago, newest to the lionfish invasion, represents an island whereby literacy levels were not taken into account which affected their further control. Anguilla, an island represents an island where the education scheme backfired and instilled a fear of lionfish, which meant that lionfish were not being removed and instead were being set free. Bonaire represents the island with the most estab-lished education program in this study which has built the foundation for its excellent lionfish management scheme. This study highlights the important role education plays in lionfish management; good education fuels good management, however when inadequately executed, management is severely hindered.

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