| Photo: Aaron Krohn |
| Gladden Spit Area |
| History of Lionfish Observed in Belize Part I |
| Calabash, Turneffe Atoll |
| Photo: Bobby Sutton |
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3
2
| Vicente, Turneffe Atoll |
4
| Midway, Glover's Atoll |
On Jan 21, 2009 at 3:30 pm Divemaster Kitty
Katzenberger from Isla Marisol Resort, Glover's
Atoll observed a lionfish at Midway, a dive site
located between Southwest Caye and Middle Caye
on the east side of Glover's Atoll. The fish was
observed on the drop-off in about 50 feet. This is
the first lionfish observed at Glovers. Kitty returned
to the dive site but has not been able to relocate
this specimen.
Katzenberger from Isla Marisol Resort, Glover's
Atoll observed a lionfish at Midway, a dive site
located between Southwest Caye and Middle Caye
on the east side of Glover's Atoll. The fish was
observed on the drop-off in about 50 feet. This is
the first lionfish observed at Glovers. Kitty returned
to the dive site but has not been able to relocate
this specimen.
In 2001 Bobby Sutton, a frequent visitor and diver to
Belize, observed and photographed the first lionfish in
Belize at a dive site near Gladden Spit. When this
sighting was made in 2001, Sea Horse Dive Shop owner
Brian Young Jr said that Bobby had emailed him the
picture of this mystery fish, but it could not be identified
in any of the fish books. The sighting was also
confirmed by divemaster Elroy Tucker. This sighting
disrupts lionfish dispersal in the Caribbean since no
other lionfish were reported for the Caribbean until 2008.
Belize, observed and photographed the first lionfish in
Belize at a dive site near Gladden Spit. When this
sighting was made in 2001, Sea Horse Dive Shop owner
Brian Young Jr said that Bobby had emailed him the
picture of this mystery fish, but it could not be identified
in any of the fish books. The sighting was also
confirmed by divemaster Elroy Tucker. This sighting
disrupts lionfish dispersal in the Caribbean since no
other lionfish were reported for the Caribbean until 2008.
More than 7 years later at 11:30 am on Dec 11,
2008, dive leader Elsie on board the Sun Dancer
observed a lionfish at a John's Ridge, a dive site east
of Calabash Caye,Turneffe Atoll. The fish was
observed on the drop-off in about 85 feet. This fish
was not captured and while subsequent visits to the
site were made to relocate this specimen, it was not
sighted again. This is the first lionfish reported from
Turneffe.
2008, dive leader Elsie on board the Sun Dancer
observed a lionfish at a John's Ridge, a dive site east
of Calabash Caye,Turneffe Atoll. The fish was
observed on the drop-off in about 85 feet. This fish
was not captured and while subsequent visits to the
site were made to relocate this specimen, it was not
sighted again. This is the first lionfish reported from
Turneffe.
FIRST CONFIRMED LIONFISH AT GLOVERS
FIRST CONFIRMED LIONFISH IN BELIZE
| Photo: Corey Martin |
FIRST CONFIRMED LIONFISH AT TURNEFFE
| SEP 16, 2001 |
| Photo: Valentine Rosado |
Mike Hancock, divemaster at Amigos del Mar,
captured the first lionfish at Vicente, a dive sites at
Northwest Turneffe, on March 12, 2009. Lionfish
Hunter Mike used his t-shirt to capture the first
specimen. Capt Sharks on San Pedro offers a
reward of US $500 for the lionfish if it lives. The
lionfish did not survive more than a couple days.
captured the first lionfish at Vicente, a dive sites at
Northwest Turneffe, on March 12, 2009. Lionfish
Hunter Mike used his t-shirt to capture the first
specimen. Capt Sharks on San Pedro offers a
reward of US $500 for the lionfish if it lives. The
lionfish did not survive more than a couple days.
5
FIRST CAPTURED LIONFISH IN BELIZE!
Mike Campbell captured a 5 inch lionfish off Playa
Blanca, Ambergris Caye at 8:30 am on March 20,
2009. Mike was snorkeling offshore the Xamen Eck
Resort and found the lionfish in the seagrass beds.
This is the first lionfish captured in seagrass beds.
This lionfish was kept at the Hol Chan Marine
Reserve for educational purposes but did not
survive.
Blanca, Ambergris Caye at 8:30 am on March 20,
2009. Mike was snorkeling offshore the Xamen Eck
Resort and found the lionfish in the seagrass beds.
This is the first lionfish captured in seagrass beds.
This lionfish was kept at the Hol Chan Marine
Reserve for educational purposes but did not
survive.
| JAN 21, 2009 |
| DEC 11, 2008 |
| FIRST LIONFISH CAPTURED INSIDE BARRIER REEF OVER SEAGRASS BEDS |
| MAR 12, 2009 |
| 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 through July 2009. |
| 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. |
| Vicente, Turneffe Atoll |
| Photo: Valentine Rosado |
| MAR 12, 2009 |
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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