The Lionfish Invasion
by Audrey Sellepack
Invasive species are the second largest contributing factors to the loss of biodiversity on planet Earth. One invasive species particularly harmful to its foreign ecosystem is the Lionfish. Under natural conditions, Lionfish populations inhabit the warm waters of the western Pacific Ocean. Currently, however, large populations of lionfish have sprouted up all along the east coast of the United States. Some populations can be found as far north as New York City. Efforts have been made to eradicate the invasive Lionfish populations, but finding a method that completely works is a complicated task.
The Lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a tropical fish with reddish-brown and white stripes and tentacles that sprout out of the top of its head and below its mouth. Because it is so exotic and appealing, it can be found in many domestic aquariums across the world. However, this fish isn’t necessarily a gentle creature. Its venomous spines have a painful sting that can be used to ward off predators. In fact, its stinging mechanism is so effective along the east coast that it doesn’t have any natural predators in the ecosystem. Normally, in its natural habitat, an organism occupies a specific niche. In other words, it plays a specific “role” in the ecosystem it inhabits. Certain factors, including predators and living space, keep the population of the organism in check. However, in a foreign environment, these factors are completely different, and if the conditions are favorable, the invasive species can take over an ecosystem. The Lionfish is the perfect example of a successful invasive species. They occupy and conquer the ecosystem in which they live. In fact, populations are known to consume nearly all kinds of fish, and they are capable of eradicating 90% of a coral reef. Therefore, it is crucial to control the Lionfish populations. Otherwise, many of the coral reefs along the east coast could be destroyed.
According to experts, complete eradication of Lionfish in the Atlantic is nearly impossible. However, reducing the population sizes within the coral reefs can suffice in restoring and protecting the state of the eastern Atlantic’s coral reefs. Lionfish population reduction can be achieved in several ways, including the promotion of Lionfish hunting derbies. The Florida Keys hosts them annually, and cash prizes are given to those who catch the largest or the highest number of Lionfish. Furthermore, the gourmet food industry has taken advantage of the need for reducing Lionfish. In fact, a Lionfish cookbook was written for that specific purpose. Additionally, bans on the importation and breeding of Lionfish in the state of Florida have been implemented. It was theorized that Lionfish were first introduced to the Atlantic Ocean by means of the Aquarium trade. An owner of a Lionfish, when they no longer wanted to take care of it, discarded it into the ocean where it could “live in their natural habitat”. Unfortunately, because it wasn’t their natural habitat, they overpopulated the area’s coral reefs. Humans were indeed the cause of this invasion, and humans are the ones who need to stop it from further spreading.
The Lionfish invasion is a prime example of how invasive species can impact our environment. It’s hard to believe that something so insignificant, like setting a pet free, can completely change the state of an ecosystem. Coral reefs have such an immense number of species in a compact area, but sometimes even one introduced species can put a dent in the large quantity that lives there. If humanity cared a little more about how their actions impact the ecosystems around them, problems like the Lionfish invasion would be few and far between.
[Photo, Lionfish, by sama093 licensed by CC BY-NC 2.0]
by Audrey Sellepack
Invasive species are the second largest contributing factors to the loss of biodiversity on planet Earth. One invasive species particularly harmful to its foreign ecosystem is the Lionfish. Under natural conditions, Lionfish populations inhabit the warm waters of the western Pacific Ocean. Currently, however, large populations of lionfish have sprouted up all along the east coast of the United States. Some populations can be found as far north as New York City. Efforts have been made to eradicate the invasive Lionfish populations, but finding a method that completely works is a complicated task.
The Lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a tropical fish with reddish-brown and white stripes and tentacles that sprout out of the top of its head and below its mouth. Because it is so exotic and appealing, it can be found in many domestic aquariums across the world. However, this fish isn’t necessarily a gentle creature. Its venomous spines have a painful sting that can be used to ward off predators. In fact, its stinging mechanism is so effective along the east coast that it doesn’t have any natural predators in the ecosystem. Normally, in its natural habitat, an organism occupies a specific niche. In other words, it plays a specific “role” in the ecosystem it inhabits. Certain factors, including predators and living space, keep the population of the organism in check. However, in a foreign environment, these factors are completely different, and if the conditions are favorable, the invasive species can take over an ecosystem. The Lionfish is the perfect example of a successful invasive species. They occupy and conquer the ecosystem in which they live. In fact, populations are known to consume nearly all kinds of fish, and they are capable of eradicating 90% of a coral reef. Therefore, it is crucial to control the Lionfish populations. Otherwise, many of the coral reefs along the east coast could be destroyed.
According to experts, complete eradication of Lionfish in the Atlantic is nearly impossible. However, reducing the population sizes within the coral reefs can suffice in restoring and protecting the state of the eastern Atlantic’s coral reefs. Lionfish population reduction can be achieved in several ways, including the promotion of Lionfish hunting derbies. The Florida Keys hosts them annually, and cash prizes are given to those who catch the largest or the highest number of Lionfish. Furthermore, the gourmet food industry has taken advantage of the need for reducing Lionfish. In fact, a Lionfish cookbook was written for that specific purpose. Additionally, bans on the importation and breeding of Lionfish in the state of Florida have been implemented. It was theorized that Lionfish were first introduced to the Atlantic Ocean by means of the Aquarium trade. An owner of a Lionfish, when they no longer wanted to take care of it, discarded it into the ocean where it could “live in their natural habitat”. Unfortunately, because it wasn’t their natural habitat, they overpopulated the area’s coral reefs. Humans were indeed the cause of this invasion, and humans are the ones who need to stop it from further spreading.
The Lionfish invasion is a prime example of how invasive species can impact our environment. It’s hard to believe that something so insignificant, like setting a pet free, can completely change the state of an ecosystem. Coral reefs have such an immense number of species in a compact area, but sometimes even one introduced species can put a dent in the large quantity that lives there. If humanity cared a little more about how their actions impact the ecosystems around them, problems like the Lionfish invasion would be few and far between.
[Photo, Lionfish, by sama093 licensed by CC BY-NC 2.0]