Fundraiser to Feature Raffle Prizes and More
The St. Maarten Nature Foundation Fundraiser in order to raise support for the lionfish control program is gaining momentum. Various companies and organizations have come on board in support of the event, allowing the Foundation to raffle excellent prizes including round trip tickets for two to any Winair destination, a weekend stay for two at the Princess Heights, a Gift Certificate from Napa Autoparts and many more prizes. The Windward Islands Bank also signed on as a major donor to the program. There will also be information available on the lionfish and the treat they face to the local ecosystem.
“The aim of the derby is to get the community involved in helping to control the lionfish in order to protect our coral reefs. We have received an unbelievable amount of support from the business community which has also allowed us to raffle great prizes. The proceeds from this fundraiser will be to purchase additional lionfish control material for divers and fishermen and to organize a workshop for practitioners in the medical field on what to do if a patient comes in with a lionfish sting, which can be quite serious.”
Lionfish are an invasive venomous fish that can inflict a painful and sometimes fatal sting. Lionfish are usually found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans but were introduced into the Atlantic thru the aquarium trade. Native fish species do not recognize the Lionfish as a threat so they are unable to defend themselves against it. In other places were lionfish were spotted there are hardly any snappers and grouper left because those are the type of fish the lionfish likes to eat.
The Nature Foundation encourages all to purchase Fish Fry/ BBQ tickets and raffle tickets from Nature Foundation staff and Board Members or via email atma*****@na*****************.org or ad***@na*****************.org or by calling 5444267 during business hours.