VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — An Ormond Beach man has caught 684 lionfish in the last two months, state officials said.
Lionfish are a poisonous, invasive species with a population that has been booming in Florida waters since the first sighting of the fish since 1985.
To combat the proliferation of the species, which is native to the Indo-Pacific, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission kicked off the Statewide Lionfish Challenge on May 14.
Since the start, more than 6,000 of the fish have been caught. David Garrett leads the pack with 684, the FWC announced this week.
Game of Spines Do you have what it takes to become Florida’s lionfish King or Queen? David Garrett does. Since the...
Posted by MyFWC Florida Fish and Wildlife on Monday, July 11, 2016
Because they are an aggressive predator, lionfish have a significant impact on native Florida fish populations, the FWC said.
Not only do lionfish compete with native animals for food, they eat native wildlife.
They are also hazardous to swimmers and divers, thee FWC said.
Lionfish have 18 venomous spines that can cause painful stings with a variety of side effects, including swelling, blistering, dizziness, necrosis and, in some cases, temporary paralysis.
They are also prolific breeders, with each female lionfish capable of producing a million eggs every year, according to Lionfish Eliminators Organization, a nonprofit created by Garrett.
You do not need a fishing license to harvest lionfish using a pole spear, a Hawaiian sling, a handheld net or any other spearing device designed to catch lionfish.
There is no daily catch limit for lionfish in Florida.
The Lionfish Challenge runs until Sept. 30.
Cox Media Group
