Lionfish Management

CONSERVATION & OUTREACH MENU

overview
culling

overview

Indo-Pacific lionfish, Pterois spp., have established themselves in the western Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. These invasive fish pose a serious threat to marine ecosystems. To date, the most effective technique for removing lionfish is spearing while SCUBA diving. Local scientists, dive operators, and volunteers have conducted regular lionfish culls around Little Cayman since 2011. Overall, these targeted lionfish removal efforts are successful at lowering lionfish populations in Little Cayman. In addition to reduced numbers, lionfish size distribution is shifted to smaller size classes in culled sites compared to unculled sites. However, there are differences in population densities and replenishment rates around the island that should be incorporated into future culling plans.

CULLING EFFORT IN LITTLE CAYMAN

MAP 1: CURRENT LIONFISH DENSITY ON LITTLE CAYMAN

Map 1 of Little Cayman show the average number of lionfish encountered (per diver per hour) across different areas combining data collected for 2015 and 2016. Sites inside Little Cayman’s marine parks were the primary focus of the community culling programme for its first three years; lionfish populations in these areas have decreased since this targeted initial effort, and remain low with continued removal efforts. Despite a similar effort during recent years to target the northeast portion of the island, lionfish numbers on these sites are equivalent to or greater than sites that have been unculled since 2011 (starred).

MAP 2: CHANGE IN LIONFISH DENSITY ON LITTLE CAYMAN 2012-2016

Map 2 displays change in the average number of lionfish encountered at each site group comparing 2012-2014 to 2015-2016. The dashed lines on the northeast side of Little Cayman represent the change in lionfish encountered here between 2015 and 2016. Increases in the number of lionfish encountered in these areas are likely the result of increased culling efforts. The successful removal efforts inside Little Cayman’s marine parks can clearly be seen on the western half of the island.

MAP 3: TOTAL LIONFISH REMOVED 2015-2016

MAP 3 shows the total number of lionfish removed per area for the years 2015 and 2016. The numerical values inside each area indicate the total number of culls that occurred in that area during that time period. In 2015 culling efforts were redirected towards the northeastern side of the island to increase culling effectiveness and manage lionfish populations outside the marine parks.

MAP 4: TOTAL LIONFISH REMOVED 2012-2014

Map 4 shows the total number of lionfish removed per area for the years 2012-2014. Most lionfish removed during these first three years came from the western areas of the island, particularly from Little Cayman’s marine parks.

This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of CCMI and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.