In order to stimulate the fishing of lionfish ( Pterois spp ), the authorities will hold a Lionfish Capture Tournament in Manzanillo from September 29th to 30th. The activity is organized Association of Artisanal Fishermen of the South Caribbean, through the Caribbean Friendship Conservation Area (Aclac) and various institutions.
The event is promoted as an activity to control this species and promote its consumption among the population, while contributing to the conservation of coral reefs.
The organizing entity explained that these fish are carnivores and they ambush their prey cornering them with enveloping movements of their large pectoral fins.
A single lionfish can cause a 79% reduction in the population densities of young fish on a reef, such as snappers, the most important species for local fishermen,”
said the organizers.
The massive capture of lionfish will allow each of the obtained specimens to be filleted and distributed for free, to promote its consumption.
The tournament has apnea and diving modalities and the teams will be made up of three members. The fishing gear to be used will be Hawaiian harpoons and mariposera nets.
The participants must comply with the regulations established by the institutional jury and Asopacs and by the Sinac, who will only allow the capture of lionfish.