December 12, 2013 — A Florida Senate panel is weighing its options after hearing about the exponential growth of the invasive lionfish species in Florida waters. Coral reef conservationists say the state’s fish and wildlife service isn’t doing enough to prevent the venomous fish’s spreading and they’re calling on lawmakers to step in.
The lionfish made its first appearance in Florida waters around 2010. In the years since, their population has ballooned. And that’s problematic because lionfish have no natural predators and are known to eat more than 50 varieties of native fish – sometimes snacking on as many as 60 prey in a single day. That means fewer fish for fishermen. Conservationists say not addressing the problem could have dire consequences.
“By not solving fishery problems we are harming Florida’s economy, we’re costing our state jobs, we are reducing state and local revenue and one thing that is very important for you to remember is we are also taking away the heritage of our citizens,” Emerald Coast Reef Association Vice President Candy Hansard told the Senate Appropriations Committee Wednesday.
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