We think they can!
Can recreational divers help control invasive lionfish invasion in Panama? Well, we already some data that suggests they can! Check out the effect of five years of regular lionfish removals from 12 different reefs:
In 2015, Clear This Fish Foundation divers collected about half the number of lionfish during each day of diving as they did in 2011 (the numbers above each bar represent the total number of lionfish collected each year). These results suggest that recreational divers can at least limit the abundance of lionfish on Panamanian reefs.
We have just three days, that's 72 short hours, until the end of our campaign. Thanks to all of the people that have pledged to support our project! With the funds pledged so far we will be able to fully fund our research expedition later this year, but we still need more help to support the Foundation's community outreach.
In our next Lab Note we will explain how we plan to measure the effect of lionfish removals on the other fish, coral, and invertebrates the make up the coral reef ecosystem in the Panamanian Caribbean! Until then, adios!
- Bob & Gabriel
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