Philipsburg:--- The St. Maarten Nature Foundation is ramping up its efforts to control and manage the Lionfish Infestation in St. Maarten waters. In the past weeks there have been increasingly numerous reports of the invasive and dangerous fish being sighted on offshore reefs as well as on local beaches. "We are increasingly collecting specimens not only on offshore coral reefs but also in shallow beach areas. Recently there were specimens on Mullet Bay Beach and just off of Pelican which were sighted in very shallow water," commented Tadzio Bervoets, Nature Foundation Manager. Another worrying aspect of the lionfish infestation is that larger, more sexually mature specimens are being collected and more numerous sightings are being reported.In its efforts to manage and control the infestation the Nature Foundation, through the generous donation of the St. Maarten Timeshare Association (SMTA), has started distributing lionfish collection materials to the various dive centres' "dive operators are very important in capturing the lionfish. Already many dive shops are collecting and reporting numerous specimens and are being a tremendous help in controlling the infestation. We have given them a lionfish collection package which includes collecting nets, first aid equipment, and location markers," commented Bervoets. Also through the donation of the SMTA the Nature Foundation will be distributing heat packs, which is the primary first aid if a swimmer is stung by a lionfish, to the various water sports concession stands throughout the island as well as information signs informing locals and visitors about the lionfish threat.
Representatives from the Nature Foundation also recently attended a regional lionfish workshop held in Mexico where various controlling strategies were discussed, including the future use of fish traps and the possibility of grouper eating the lionfish; "If our research shows that grouper indeed prey on lionfish we might be better able to control it. The problem is that, especially for St. Maarten, there are not enough large grouper due to a lack of formal protection. If protection such as the Marine Park Ordinance were in place we would be better able to promote a healthy grouper population which may naturally control the lionfish," commented Bervoets.
The lionfish is an invasive species which was introduced into the Caribbean through the aquarium trade. The fish is a threat to local fisheries because they have the potential to destroy local fishing grounds and the economies which depend on them. The lionfish is also a venomous species which can inflict a very dangerous sting. If someone is stung by a lionfish heat should be applied directly to the wound and medical attention should be sought immediately. To a report a lionfish please call the Nature Foundation at 5444267.