by Jen Chapman, Country Coordinator, Belize
Placencia’s 2013 Lobsterfest was more about lionfish than the traditional fishery! SEA‘s third annual lionfish tournament was implemented with the support of Blue Ventures and TIDE, seeing three dive teams remove almost 600 lionfish from nearby reefs. Data collected from the catch included total weight, stomach contents, sex ratios and size distribution. Lionfish population density surveys before and after the event will be used to determine the effectiveness of using lionfish tournaments as a means to control the ever-growing population of this damaging invasive species.
Below is a selection of the best photos taken during the day’s festivities.
All photos are © of Blue Ventures, Annelise Hagan and Gordon Kirkwood
