Invasive Species: Lionfish in Barbados
Lesson Express
Q: Why are the lionfish becoming a problem so rapidly?
A: They do not have any natural predators in the Caribbean. They have poisonous spines that protect them. They can eat half of their body weight every day.
Q: Why is promoting lionfish as something to eat an effective way to control their numbers?
A: The more people have an appetite for lionfish, the more fishermen will go out to fish them. More fishermen collecting lionfish will reduce numbers faster than just a few marine biologists rounding them up.
Q: Why do you think some of the locals are hesitant to try lionfish?
A: Student responses will vary. Lionfish have poisonous spines, so people may be afraid of consuming the venom. They are a new species of fish and people may prefer other more wlell-known species (like snapper).
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