Though lionfish meat is not regularly stocked in stores, customers can order it through the Publix Reel Variety program, and expect its arrival in roughly a week. One pound of lionfish meat sold for $27.99 per pound at a Publix in Florida. People have also requested lionfish at the Fort Myers’ Blue Star Seafood store (Tometich, 2015). There is even a lionfish cookbook being written (Morell, 2010). With this growing demand, the lionfish meat market is a viable solution to the lionfish invasion.
Other suggestions have been made to teach and encourage native predators to eat lionfish, such as groupers, sharks, and eels (Hackerott et al., 2013). In fact, lionfish have been found in the stomach contents of some Atlantic and Caribbean fish, though
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researchers have not determined if this is a common event (Bayraktarov et al., 2014; Hackerott et al., 2013; Raymond et al., 2015). In certain areas, divers and fishermen claimed to have successfully trained native species to prey upon lionfish (Hackerott et al., 2013). This has been done through divers feeding speared lionfish to possible predators (Hackerott et al., 2013). Assuring that these species contribute to lionfish population decline will serve as a biotic resistor to their invasion. This makes the conservation of these native predator species even more essential. However, many of the potential predator populations have been decimated through overfishing, making any significant impact on lionfish populations unlikely (Morell, 2010). Also, by feeding various species lionfish, not only will divers be teaching the fish that lionfish are edible, but that humans feed them. This can lead to a whole slew of problems, whether the species lose their natural fear of humans or become dependent on their free handouts. Preferred solution Out of all the suggested potential solutions to the lionfish invasion, wide scale and local culling operations are considered the most effective means of mitigation with the highest probability of success (Bayraktarov et al., 2014; Bejarano et al., 2015; Carberry, 2014; Cote et al., 2013; Edwards et al., 2014; S.
Green, 2014; Hackerott et al., 2013; Morell, 2010; Valdivia et al., 2014). CIEE professor Patrick Lyons claims the only successful method for decreasing lionfish populations is by hunting them (Carberry, 2014). Unfortunately, lionfish are difficult to harvest and inhabit a wide range of areas, making culling operations relatively expensive (Bejarano et al., 2015). This being said, initial culling operations should focus on nursery habitats for commercial fisheries, spawning sites, mangroves, and protected areas (Bejarano et al., 2015; S. Green, 2014). This will help protect highly valuable marine resources as these sites are crucial habitat for juvenile fish (S. Green, 2014). By focusing on such ecologically important areas first, eradication efforts may have far reaching …show more content…
effects. The National Science Foundation awarded grants to Oregon State University at Corvallis, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of New Hampshire to study the reasons behind invasive lionfish success and help slow their invasion (Morell, 2010). Many researchers believe culling operations will only control lionfish populations as opposed to completely eradicating the invader (Morell, 2010). However, controlling lionfish populations may be all the ecosystems need. Scientists at Simon Fraser University and Oregon State University have found possible evidence that complete eradication is not necessary for ecosystem recovery from the negative effects associated with the lionfish invasion (S. Green, 2014). In her article, Stephanie Green (2014) writes: On reefs where lionfish were kept below threshold densities, native prey fish increased by 50-70 percent.
It’s one of the first studies of its type to demonstrate that reduction of an invasive species below an environmentally damaging threshold, rather than outright eradication, can have comparable benefits.
Even more promising is the fact that some of those recovered fishes included the economically important Nassau grouper and yellowtail snapper (S. Green, 2014). However, culling operations should be combined with predator conservation and the creation of a market for lionfish consumption to provide the best results.
While all of these solutions can help keep lionfish populations in check, many scientists doubt they will ever be fully eradicated (Cote et al., 2013; Edwards et al., 2014; S. Green, 2014; Morell, 2010). This fate should inspire stricter trade legislation of exotic species along with increased public awareness efforts (Cote et al., 2013). It is an effective example that not all environmental damage is reversible.
Conclusions If lionfish culling operations are not implemented or adopted on a wide enough scale there will be severe short-term and long-term environmental consequences. Short-term consequences will likely be limited to population increase in lionfish and decreased prey fish stock. Long-term effects include coral reef degradation, habitat loss for native species, water quality degradation, and an overall decrease in biodiversity. In addition, Albins and Hixon (2013) note in their article that Caribbean fish trade of coral reef species will suffer from the invasion as well, since many of the lionfish’s prey species are valuable aquarium pets. However, there has been increased awareness of the issue and many people are getting involved. Lionfish hunting training programs in places such as Bonaire and the Bahamas allow for everyday citizens to learn more about invasive lionfish and get involved in local eradication efforts (Carberry, 2014; Edwards et al., 2014). Research grants are also helping to keep the issue in the spotlight and gain more information on limiting factors and possible solutions (Morell, 2010). While culling operations may provide the most effective means to deal with the lionfish
The nonnative species of the lionfish, living in tropical waters to depths far below is an unseen threat by first glance. Truth behold, this fish is a serious pest since the first sighting in Dania Beach back in the 1980s. Presently, it has grown out of its bounds and causes harm not only to the sea life but trouble to humans as well. An unmatched appetite with a fast and large reproduction to spawn its species in a matter of only a short time, makes this invasive fish at the top of a sounding alarm. Clever biological adaptations have made this fish a tough fighter to the ecosystem and only in the past few years have we learned to take effective measures to control their population to save our coral reefs.
In the past twenty years a large amount of bottlenose dolphin have been killed due to the tuna fishery. In the Eastern Pacific swim large schools of tuna, these shoals tend to be under herds of dolphins, for some unexplained reason. Because of this, fishermen can easily find schools of tuna. The tuna are being caught under purse seine nets, which encircles the shoals of tuna and then is pulled back on board the fishing vessel, catching both tuna and dolphin. Initially the mortality rate was 500,000 each year for dolphins alone. Although some efforts are made to encourage the dolphins to leave the net by backing down part of the net, which allows the dolphins to escape, there are still a large number of mortalities (Bryant). On the other hand, in the last few years there has been dramatic progress in stopping the fishing industries from using purse sine nets. It has been found that dolphins are in immediate danger of extinction if these fishing techniques don’t stop.
Invasive species do not only affect other species in their ecosystem, but also cost the United States more than one hundred and twenty million dollars each year in damages (“Cost” par. 2). Invasive species come in all different forms, and all have a negative impact on the environment. These species can come into a new area without being detected at first, but as time goes on their effects can soon be seen. Efforts are being made to prevent these invasive species from destroying fish population and habitat, but in order to be successful they need to be done on a much larger scale. In order to protect Wisconsin's waters, which are already infected with many invasive species that cause great damage to our bodies of water, more actions need to be taken. It is vital to remove all invasive species from Wisconsin’s waters because it will improve fish habitat, native fish population, and water quality.
In 1831, Asian carp were brought over as a delicacy. Asian carp are originally from Asia (Barbara A. Somervill 13). They were imported by catfish farmers in 1963 for federal research on controlling aquatic vegetation. In 1966, the first Asian carp had escaped into Arkansas waters. By 1970, grass carp we're being stocked in Arkansas waters to help with over vegetation. In 1972, big head carp were brought in the United States by a fish farmer in Arkansas to improve his water quality and fish production. In 1973, silver carp were introduced for phytoplankton control (Watershed Council 1). Over time, they were brought over for different reasons and made their way into many of the United States waters. The federal government had transported the invasive species to help the waters but, they did not realize the bad effects that the fish would have on the future environment. People need to find a way to stop them before it’s too late. Their rapid breeding has had a great toll on the environment and is still affecting it today. Over population can destroy the environment
With a coastline of over 202,000 km and over a fourth of the world’s freshwater resources, it is no wonder why Canada’s fishing industry is a huge part of its economy.1 Canada exports more than 75% of its fish to over 130 countries worldwide. Many of the 7 million people who reside on the coast depend on the ocean’s resources. In total, Canada’s entire fishing industry is worth around $5 billion a year, being one of the world’s most valuable. However, the coasts have not been treated with respect; overfishing, over consumption, and wasteful practices have deteriorated, not only the industry, but the ecosystems and fish populations. This is a huge global issue; the worldwide collapse of fisheries is projected for 2048.
The eradication of species numbers average at a toll close to one hundred percent of earths total living creatures. “It is the Earth's most severe known extinction event, with up to 96% of all marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species becoming extinct” (Sahney, and Benton 759). Not only where marine and terrestrial species effected but this catastrophic event is the only recogni...
Have you ever asked yourself, “Shouldn’t we do something about invasive species since they’re so bad?”. Actually, invasive species can be very good for the environment, just that we only ever talk about the downsides. This essay will argue that humans shouldn’t act to remove invasive species because when humans try to move invasive species, things like birds might not have food and the government will be losing money we need to pay someone to remove the invasive organisms. ‘
Zipkin, Elise F., Kraft, Clifford E., Cooch, Evan G., and Sullivan, Patrick J., “When Can Efforts to Control Nuisance and Invasive Species Backfire?,” Ecological Applications, Vol. 19, No. 6 (2009): 1585-1595, accessed October 11, 2013. http://www.jstor.org/stable/40346271.
To fish or not to fish is a personal choice. The fact that the oceans are being overfished is a growing concern for individuals, organizations, and governments throughout the world. In this paper I want to discuss the effects of overfishing on the restaurant industry, and possible solutions to solve the problem. Fishing is an ongoing source of food for people around the world. In many countries it is a food staple in their everyday diet. In more modern societies eating fish has become a sensual experience, and not just for the wealthy. It hasn't been until population explosions in the last century that the demand for seafood has led to more effective fishing techniques and technologies. Now the demand for popular fish like the salmon, tuna, sea bass, cod and hoki, which is the key fish in McDonalds filet o' fish, is diving wild populations to dangerously low levels. The methods used to catch the amount of fish demanded by the industry do not leave sustainable populations in the wild. In an attempt to preserve the fish population, governments have set limits on the minimum size that may be harvested and how many of each may be taken. Boundaries have been set up saying which areas can be fished and which ones should be left alone. A number of smaller fisheries have gone out of business because of the limits imposed by the government. This leads to even less fish being harvested and brought to market. Therefore the amount and varieties of fish at markets are smaller and can cause shortages for wholesalers and restaurants. Some restaurants will no longer have the variety on their menus that they used to enjoy. If a restaurant thrives on its seafood menu they may be unable to cope with the shortages and will go out of business. In the ...
Overfishing is the most major problem related to oceans, but it is also the most overlooked. Fishing has been going on for thousands of years, and fish have always been seen as a renewable resource, that would replenish itself forever for our benefit. But around the world there is evidence that fish are not recove...
Introducing exotic species has been a highly debated issue. Why should we bring another animal or plant into a region to eradicate another species? That’s the question that people have been asking for ages. Of course, there are positives to bringing in another species, but many times, there are just as many negatives. Also, these species can be introduced accidentally or intentionally. The new organism may cause no obvious problems and eventually, it will be considered “native” to the area. For example, corals are “perhaps the oldest animals on the planet, and these long-lived corals have evolved in one of the Earth’s most stable environments” (Eichenberg, p.2). If a new type of fish were to be put into the ecosystem with the corals, the coral would be affected. First, the fish might eat the coral. Second, they could use the coral for shelter, and possibly damaging it that way. Third, the fish could bring predators that might also eat the coral. Introducing an exotic species has the “rippling affect” of dropping a stone into a pool of water. Everything outside the epicenter is affected. A study was done at Cornell University, and they estimated that $120 billion per year are spent fixing the problems caused by exotic species” (Chiras, p.
on repair and recovery. Invasive species can cost up to 120 billion dollars a year just to repair the
Invasive alien species are disrupting and changing the normal ecological functions of biomes, ecosystems, and the biosphere as a whole (CBD, 2009). They are a threat to biodiversity and can cause damage to, or even eradicate native species which natural cycles and other organisms depend on. While disrupting energy flow, food chains, and shaking the structure of ecosystems to the core, invasive species create not only ecological, but also a whole host of social, economical, and health issues that affect the livelihood of almost every organism on earth, including humans (CBD, 2009).
According to World WildLife Fund, many ecosystems around the world are being destroyed, eliminating many plant and animal species that inhabit them (“Pollution”).
In 2009, Sylvia Earle gave a presentation in a TED conference on a rising problem that the world faces: the ecologic depletion of the world’s oceans. The ocean accounts for a massive portion of the recycled carbon dioxide back into oxygen, and provides food for huge parts of humanity and for huge numbers of animals. I agree with her conclusions that the oceans are being depleted and this can only mean bad things for humanity, but I disagree with her solution. To solve the problem, Mrs. Earle claims that the United States and other countries should expand their protected zones of the ocean. However, an ocean is not like a land environment, where you can section off parts of America to save isolated habitats. Fish travel often travel and migrate hundreds of miles to find food and suitable mates, this is especially true the larger the fish is. Sectioning off parts of the ocean only solves part of the problem, because the fish in that area will simply swim out of the area and then be caught by fisherman. The only way to incorporate government protection into the oceans, is for the government to effectively own the oceans within its borders and then lease the rights to fish or put quotas on the number of fish that each fisherman can take out.