On June 18, 2009 Eli Rodriguez, Lionfish Hunter
and dive instructor at Turneffe Flats, was doing a
night dive on a shallow water patch reef in about 12
feet of water and found a juvenile lionfish about 1
inch in length. The lionfish was observed resting
on a dead conch shell. Eli named aptly named the
fish "SPIKE" who is currently in an aquarium at Sea
Sports Belize office in Belize City where he is
feeding on mysid shrimp.
and dive instructor at Turneffe Flats, was doing a
night dive on a shallow water patch reef in about 12
feet of water and found a juvenile lionfish about 1
inch in length. The lionfish was observed resting
on a dead conch shell. Eli named aptly named the
fish "SPIKE" who is currently in an aquarium at Sea
Sports Belize office in Belize City where he is
feeding on mysid shrimp.
| History of Lionfish Observed in Belize (Part III) |
| May 2009 |
| Photo: Linda Searle, ECOMAR |
| Captured by Eli Rodriguez - Turneffe Flats - Lionfish Hunter & Dive Instructor |
| Near Long Caye/Caye Chapel |
| Photo: Linda Searle, ECOMAR |
11
12
13
| #12 |
#10
| June 18, 2009 |
| Northern Bogue Patch Reef Turneffe Atoll (Northeast side) |
| By July 9, 2009 there have been 34 confirmed (photographed or captured) lionfish in Belize, of which 29 have been captured. Presented below is a history of the known confirmed sightings (with photo or capture) of lionfish in Belize as July 2009. |
In May 2009 Mike Hancock of Amigos del Mar
captured his second lionfish at Lighthouse Atoll.
This lionfish was reportedly sold to Captain
Sharks for between $500-$1000 dollars.
captured his second lionfish at Lighthouse Atoll.
This lionfish was reportedly sold to Captain
Sharks for between $500-$1000 dollars.
In May/June 2009 a fishermen captured a
juvenile lionfish near Long Caye/Caye Chapel in
seagrass beds. The fisherman reported that he
sighted three lionfish in this area but only one
was captured. The photo was taken at the
Agriculture Show where the Fisheries
Department had on display two lionfish, the
larger one captured by Lionfish Hunters Juan
Vasquez and Nadia Westby at Lighthouse, and
number 12.
juvenile lionfish near Long Caye/Caye Chapel in
seagrass beds. The fisherman reported that he
sighted three lionfish in this area but only one
was captured. The photo was taken at the
Agriculture Show where the Fisheries
Department had on display two lionfish, the
larger one captured by Lionfish Hunters Juan
Vasquez and Nadia Westby at Lighthouse, and
number 12.
FIRST LIONFISH CAPTURED AT NIGHT &
SMALLEST LIONFISH CAPTURED
SMALLEST LIONFISH CAPTURED
SMALLEST LIONFISH CAPTURED &
SECOND CAPTURE BY A FISHERMAN
SECOND CAPTURE BY A FISHERMAN
LIONFISH HUNTER MIKE HANCOCK
CAPTURES SECOND LIONFISH
CAPTURES SECOND LIONFISH
| photo NOT available |
Lionfish Hunter Ralph Flores from Off the Wall dive
center captured his second lionfish at Glovers on
July 9, 2009 around 3:00 pm. Ralph was leading a
dive with some guests when he spotted this lionfish
on the reef. Good job Ralph! Keep up the good
work of keeping Glover's free from lionfish! Off The
Wall will turn in the lionfish to the Fisheries
Department who manages the protected area and
receive their reward of US $25!
center captured his second lionfish at Glovers on
July 9, 2009 around 3:00 pm. Ralph was leading a
dive with some guests when he spotted this lionfish
on the reef. Good job Ralph! Keep up the good
work of keeping Glover's free from lionfish! Off The
Wall will turn in the lionfish to the Fisheries
Department who manages the protected area and
receive their reward of US $25!
34
3rd Lionfish Captured at Glovers Atoll
2nd Lionfish Captured by Ralph Flores
2nd Lionfish Captured by Ralph Flores
| Middle Caye, Glover's Atoll |
| Photo: Kendra Schofield, Off The Wall |
| July 9, 2009 |
| Lionfish are being captured as far south as Tobacco Caye, and one was sighted 3 channels down South Water Caye, but none have been captured from South Water Caye to Sapodilla Cayes, or in the Port Honduras Marine Reserve. The Belize Fisheries Department and members of the Belize Coral Reef Monitoring Network are vigilant and are spreading the word to all fishermen, divers and snorkelers who may encounter the lionfish in Belize's waters. |
| In addition to the confirmed sightings listed above, there have been numerous unconfirmed lionfish sightings by fishermen, snorkelers and divers. Congratulations are in order to all those who have reported lionfish sightings and to those who have captured lionfish. Remember, these are extremely venomous fish and great care must be taken when capturing lionfish. Clearly lionfish are inhabiting many coastal ecosystems in Belize. All divers, snorkelers, and fishermen, are being asked for their assistance in reporting sightings of lionfish to the Fisheries Department. Please contact James Azueta, Chair of the Invasive Species Committee for Infopesca at the Belize Fisheries Department on Princess Margaret Drive in Belize City at 224-4552. If you have observed a lionfish and need a net to try and capture it, contact ECOMAR at 671-3483 for your Lionfish Toolkit which includes a net and Lionfish Safe Handling Techniques Fact Sheet. |
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| ECO/ECOMAR is a charitable company registered under the laws of Belize. If you would like to help support any of our projects please make a donation today! |
17 Princess Margaret Dr. LF, PO Box 1234, Belize City, Belize
TEL: + (501) 671-3483, FAX: +(501) 223-7007
Email: linda@REMOVEecomarbelize.org, www.ecomarbelize.org
TEL: + (501) 671-3483, FAX: +(501) 223-7007
Email: linda@REMOVEecomarbelize.org, www.ecomarbelize.org
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