On May 3, 2009 at 3:30 pm the fifth lionfish was captured
by Belize Aggressor dive instructors Nadia Westby and
Juan Vasquez at the dive site Long Caye Ridge,
Lighthouse Atoll.  This is the first lionfish sighted and
captured at Lighthouse Reef Atoll.  This lionfish was on
dispaly at the Agriculture Show in Belmopan and passed
away shortly thereafter.
History of Lionfish Observed in Belize Part II
Photo: Kendra Schofield APR 24, 2009
Long Caye Wall, Glovers Atoll
Glover's Reef Marine Reserve
Photo: Alicia Eck, Fisheries Department
Shark Ray Alley, Ambergris Caye
Photo: Valentine Rosado, CORAL
Lighthouse Atoll
MAY 3, 2009
Photo: Nadia Westby, Belize Aggressor
Juan Vasquez - Belize Aggressor
Lionfish Hunter & Dive Instructor
A lionfish was captured in Shark Ray Alley by
Searious Adventures on March 22, 2009. This lionfish
resided on display at Capt Sharks on San Pedro, but
passed away on April 2, 2009 and is now a specimen
at Hol Chan Marine Reserve.
MAR 22, 2009
8
6
FIRST LIONFISH CAPTURED IN A MARINE
PROTECTED AREA
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.
APR 24, 2009
Glovers Atoll Marine Reserve
MAR 23, 2009
10
9
7
On March 23, 2009 at 12:30 pm, traditional
fishermen Jesus Pena speared a lionfish in 30 feet
within the Glover's Reef Marine Reserve. The
specimen was delivered to park manager Alicia Eck
the following day.  This is the first lionfish speared,
captured by a traditional fishermen, in a marine
reserve.

Sometime in March 2009 Ambergris Divers sighted
and photographed a lionfish at Tres Cocos dive
site.  They have been back to the area but have
not been able to relocate the lionfish.
On April 24, 2009, Ralph Flores, a divemaster at
Off the Wall Dive Center, captured a lionfish on
Long Caye Wall, Glover's Atoll.  Kendra Schofield
reported that the lionfish had been sighted a
previously and when they returned to try and
capture the specimen they were successful!  This
specimen is the largest lionfish captured in Belize
at 11 inches in length.
FIRST LIONFISH CAPTURED AT GLOVERS
SECOND LIONFISH CAPTURED AT GLOVERS
FIRST LIONFISH CAPTURED
AT LIGHTHOUSE ATOLL
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.  
photo NOT available
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
Conservation through Education!