Invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish in the Western Atlantic Stephanie Green David H. Smith Conservation Research Fellow Oregon State University
Collaborators and funders Lad Akins, Reef Environmental Education Foundation Mark Hixon, Oregon State University Bernard Castillo and Kynoch Reale-Munroe, University of the Virgin Islands Ian Lundgren and Vanessa McDunough, National Park Service Isabelle Côté and Andrew Cooper, Simon Fraser University Nick Dulvy, IUCN Shark Specialist Group Nicola Smith, Bahamas Department of Marine Resources Annabelle Brooks, Cape Eleuthera Institute Skylar Miller, University of the West Indies James Morris, NOAA CCFHR 2
Distribution Red Lionfish – Pterois volitans Devil Firefish – Pterois miles
Source of the invasion
Aquarium imports and non-native fish sightings Semmens et al. 2004
Invasion progression USGS Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database 2013
Invasion progression USGS Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database 2013
Invasion progression USGS Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database 2013
Invasion progression USGS Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database 2013
Invasion progression USGS Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database 2013
Invasion progression USGS Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database 2013
Invasion progression USGS Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database 2013
Invasion progression USGS Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database 2013
Lionfish life cycle
Lionfish abundance has increased rapidly Green et al. 2012 PLoS ONE
Lionfish abundance has increased rapidly Green et al. 2012 PLoS ONE
Relative predator abundance Eleuthera, Bahamas 40 35 Fish per 100 m 2 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 lionfish nassau black graysby grouper grouper Green et al. 2012 PloS ONE
Lionfish in the Loxahatchee River Judd and Layman 2012
Potential lionfish range 100°W 80°W 60°W 40°W 60°N 40°N 20°N 0° 20°S 40°S Morris 2009 Morris & Whitfield 2009
Why are lionfish so successful in the Atlantic?
Lionfish venomology
Lionfish are venomous
Predators do not control lionfish Anecdotal observations Maljković et al 2008 Coral Reefs Experimental feeding trials Valdivia et al. 2014 PeerJ Morris et al 2011 J Exp Marine Biol
Predators do not control lionfish
Gape-limited predators
What is the effect of lionfish predation on invaded fish communities?
The Bahamas
The Bahamas New Providence Island Eleuthera Island
Lionfish reduce prey biomass By 65% over two years Green et al. in review Green et al. 2012 PLoS ONE
Testing targets for lionfish control Eleuthera, Bahamas Lionfish removal experiment 32
Prey fish recovery 2.0 Proportion change 1.5 0 -0.5 Green et al. in press Ecol. App.
Conservation and lionfish control Management plans
Conservation and lionfish control Awareness and education
Conservation and lionfish control Regional action
Complete eradication is unlikely
Population Eradication suppression
The goal: Make the most effective use of limited resources for control
Conservation application Minimize ecological impacts in priority areas
Conservation application Minimize ecological impacts in priority areas Juvenile fish habitat Marine Protected Areas
Recolonization happens rapidly Lionfish 100 m -2 Date Green et al. in review Cons. Letters
What level of control is required to mitigate the effects of lionfish?
How many lionfish can a reef tolerate? Prey fish biomass Insufficient Sufficient removal removal Lionfish density 44
How often to remove? What is the cost and effort needed for control?
Long term removal studies Florida Keys St Croix, USVI Biscayne National Park Buck Island National Monument John Pennekamp State Park Florida Keys National c Marine Sanctuary c
How many lionfish to remove? 9 8 7 Lionfish abundance 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 I1 I2 LF4 LF5 P1 P3 P5 P7 Site
How many lionfish to remove? 9 Removal target Densities 45-85% Starting density 8 higher than 7 Lionfish abundance target 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 I1 I2 LF4 LF5 P1 P3 P5 P7 Site
Bi-monthly dives to survey and remove lionfish
How many lionfish to remove? Site LF5 5 4 Target density 3 2 LF5 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 Removal event Site P5 8 LF4 6 4 2 0 Site I1 10 1 2 3 4 5 Removal event 8 I2 6 I1 P3 4 P1 2 P5 0 P7 1 2 3 4 5 Removal event
Where do we get the manpower to achieve control? USGS Non-indigenous Aquatic Species Database 2012
Tools for lionfish control Primarily caught by spear and hand-net
Tools for lionfish control Food fishery
Eat ‘ em to beat ‘ em! 55
Lionfish derbies
What is a lionfish derby?
Lionfish derbies are an effective tool for increasing awareness…. But how effective are they at suppressing lionfish populations?
Green Turtle Cay, Bahamas Derby effectiveness study Key Largo, Florida
Lionfish tagging Pre- and post- derby surveys Derby fishing maps
Key Largo, Florida No derby Derby g lionfish ha -1 45% decline Before After Before After
Summary • Invasive lionfish are having significant effects on fish populations across the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico • Controlling lionfish below predicted ‘thresholds’ densities can prevent ecological impacts • How can you help? • Support lionfish control research • Support lionfish control efforts (e.g. derbies, food fishery)
Thank you Contact: greenst@science.oregonstate.edu @steph_j_green www.stephaniejgreen.com Find out more: www.reef.org/lionfish http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/research/pollution/invasive/lionfish
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