The St. Maarten Nature Foundation has partnered with local fishermen Roger Lesperance and Macklin Davis in an effort to further control the lionfish population.
On Wednesday evening the two fishermen brough in a total of eleven lionfish which were caught in fish traps in local waters. The Lionfish were handed over to the Nature Foundation for dissection and stomach content analysis. "Fishermen are at the forefront in combating the lionfish infestation on the island and we are very grateful for their help in this issue," commented Nature Foundation Manager Tadzio Bervoets.
The lionfish is an invasive species which was introduced into the Caribbean through the aquarium trade. The fish is a threat to local fisheries because they have the potential to destroy local fishing grounds and the economies which depend on them. The lionfish is also a venomous species which can inflict a dangerous sting; therefore the Nature Foundation requests that if a lionfish is spotted to please contact the Foundation at 5444267 or via email at ma*****@na*****************.org