Hunt for a lionfish

Lionfish are invasive species that belong in the Indo-Pacific region, and were accidentally introduced into marine waters of the SE United States several years ago. Because they have no natural predators in the Atlantic and Caribbean, each year, since their introduction, they have spread deeper into the Caribbean. They are rather spectacular looking, however, they consume a large quantity of small reef fish that have no instincts to avoid lionfish. One account reported observing a lionfish corral and then eat 20 small wrasse. Consequently, local marine park officials are encouraging divers to mark the location of lionfish, and report them. And trained divers then attempt to capture and eradicate the lionfish. This afternoon, I went on a lionfish dive with 2 skilled divers, and lots of tools (nets, collection bag, gloves, instruments to poke them out of holes, etc). The location of this particular lionfish had 3 markers (corks on vinyl tape, attached nearby) indicating several other divers had seen and reported this fish. While the fish was out in the open for a short time, as soon as anyone tried to move a net towards it, the fish quickly moved deep into a very protected shelter under a coral head. We made several attempts to catch this fish, but did not succeed. So the lionfish still lives, but we are working on a new strategy to catch it.