I Spear Lionfish

Lionfish are trying to take over the reefs here in Bocas del Toro. They are a problem. I have pulled this information from the I Spear Lionfish.org website.

In May 2009, Alfredo Joseph, a staff member of Bocas Water Sports, was scuba diving at a local reef called The Playground when he saw feathery fins gently wafting around a large outcropping of coral before vanishing from sight. Alfredo swam around the coral head to see where the fish had disappeared to. It hadn't gone far. Waiting on the other side, unafraid and firmly holding its ground, was a fish Alfredo had never before encountered in Bocas waters. He snapped a photo and upon returning to the shop, showed it to BWS owner Jon Schneiderman who was immediately alarmed. Jon asked Alfredo to return to the spot the next morning and try to capture the fish alive, which he did. That afternoon, Jon sent a photo of the new invader along with a warning article to the Bocas Breeze, which we published in our July 2009 issue. Jon knew firsthand what damage these fish had done to reefs in Florida and hoped that it couldn't happen here.

Ten months later, his worst fears have come to pass. Bocas is overrun with lionfish.

Jon Schneiderman took matters in hand from the very beginning. He and his divers have captured many lionfish and taken them to the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute for DNA testing. He has also given his staff the green light to spear any lionfish they see when not teaching a class or guiding a tour group. It is hoped that other dive shops in the area will follow Jon's example and help to reduce the lionfish population by any means and methods available.

After researching the invasive lionfish problem for several weeks, Allene Blaker founded a non-profit organization called I Spear Lionfish (www.ispearlionfish.org) (also on FaceBook). Her intention is to spread the word – locally and globally – about the Bocas lionfish invasion in the hopes that we can generate enough interest and support to do something about it.

She has had t-shirts made up, ordered decals, has been printing and distributing flyers, and presented Bocas mayor Dr. Joe Anderson with a summary of the lionfish problem Bocas faces. In that report, she expressed the need for Panama's Minister of Tourism Salomon Shamah to be aware of the ecological and economical ramifications that could occur if the government does not also take measures, or help with ours, in an attempt to reduce and control the lionfish population.

Before anyone jumps in the water and starts spearing lionfish, however, he or she needs to know the dangers involved. The dorsal, anal and pelvic spines of a lionfish are, as already mentioned, poisonous. Even a small brush with one spine can result in intense pain that may last for hours. And that may be the least of the victim's worries. (See an article that details First Aid and suggested treatment of lionfish stings.)

We want to encourage everyone to join the I Spear Lionfish organization to learn more about the species and the environmental war we need to wage against them. Our immediate and far-reaching goals are to minimize the damage lionfish can do through community education. We want to teach divers how to identify them, how to safely capture or spear them, and even how to clean and cook a lionfish (they are a considered a delicacy). Information is available here.

It's time to repel the invaders, stop the infestation and save our reefs. You can buy decals and t-shirts at the Bocas Breeze office, Super Gourmet grocery store, and the Bocas Sustainable Tourism Alliance Information Center. Support the cause!