Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009 3.M.2.

4 Marine Species - Fish Invasive Red Lionfish

Invasive Red Lionfish Pterois volitans Taxonomy and Range Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Actinopterygii, Order: Scorpaeniformes, Family: Scorpaenidae Genus: Pterois, Species: volitans Red lionfish Pterois volitans favour coral reefs and rocky outcrops, ranging throughout the Indo-Pacific: Western Australia and Malaysia to the Marquesas Island and Oeno (Pitcairn Group); north to southern Japan and southern Korea; south to Lord Howe, Kermadec, and Austral Island; throughout Micronesia. Status Distribution: Red lionfish Pterois volitans are found in depths ranging from 1-600 feet. The first individuals were reported locally in February 2008, in Little Cayman and in October 2008 in Cayman Brac. The major invasion initiated in January 2009, with multiple fish reported on a daily basis. How lionfish became established in the Atlantic remains unknown, however, it is believed that importation of the species for the aquarium trade may have played a significant role. Lionfish have now been documented along the US east coast, from Florida to Massachusetts, east to Bermuda, and south throughout Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, and are invasive in nations such as Jamaica, Martinique, Venezuela and Belize.
For Reference and Acknowledgement: Cottam, M., Olynik, J., Blumenthal, J., Godbeer, K.D., Gibb, J., Bothwell, J., Burton, F.J., Bradley, P.E., Band, A., Austin, T., Bush, P., Johnson, B.J., Hurlston, L., Bishop, L., McCoy, C., Parsons, G., Kirkconnell, J., Halford, S. and Ebanks-Petrie, G. (2009). Cayman Islands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2009. Cayman Islands Government. Department of Environment. Final Formatting and production by John Binns, International Reptile Conservation Foundation.

Section: 3.M.2.4 Marine Species - Fish - Invasive Red Lionfish

Page: 1

Rev: 19 March 2012

Conservation: Red lionfish Pterois volitans is invasive in Cayman waters, and requires implementation of active control to prevent its spread. Lionfish represent a serious threat to both native marine life and human health and safety. Legal: All species of lionfish and stonefish, and any others in family Scorpaenidae & Synanceiidae were added to DoE prohibited aquatic species list, August 2004. Lionfish Pterois spp. are listed under Part 3 of the Endangered Species (Trade and Transport) Law, 2004, as requiring strict regulation by the Scientific Authority (DoE). Natural History Red lionfish Pterois volitans stand their ground when harassed. When threatened, they arch their backs, pointing their dorsal spines at the aggressor, and swim forward rapidly in order to inflict a sting. Envenomation of the hand, as a result of the sting, is the most common injury. Serious wounds may also result from the handling of recently deceased specimens. The sting causes intense pain immediately, the intensity of which depends upon the amount of venom injected. Other symptoms of a sting may include swelling, redness, bleeding, nausea, numbness, joint pain, anxiety, headache, disorientation, dizziness, paralysis, and convulsions. Associated Habitats and Species for Invasive Red Lionfish ASSOCIATED HABITAT PLANS 2.M.1 Open Sea 2.M.2 Coral Reef 2.M.4 Seagrass Beds 2.S.3 Mangrove Current Factors Affecting Invasive Red Lionfish Invasive species: increasing reports of non-native species and the successful invasion of Atlantic and Caribbean waters by the Red lionfish have proven the need for early warning and rapid response to confirmed sightings. Expansion throughout its new range has been rapid and exponential in nature. Ravenous predators, lionfish eat small fish and crustaceans in large quantities. They have no known native predators. Lionfish reach sexual maturity at less than 1 year of age, and reproduce year-round. They are more resistant to parasites and tend to grow quickly, effectively outcompeting native species for food and habitat. Health and safety: the venomous spines, designed to deter large marine predators, can inflict painful wounds in humans. Opportunities and Current Local Action Invasive Red Lionfish Red Lionfish have been subject to an intensive control programme in the Cayman Islands since 2009. Following training from REEF, the Cayman Islands DoE embarked on an extensive circuit of training courses, enabling professional divers to become trained and licensed Lionfish cullers. SPECIES ACTION PLAN for Invasive Red Lionfish OBJECTIVES 1. Halt the spread of Pterois volitans in the Cayman Islands, and eradiate if feasible. UPDATE: In light of establishment of lionfish in Cayman and the region this objective has been modified to: 1. Reduce the impact of Pterois volitans in the Cayman Islands by culling as many as possible. 2. Maintain close communication with dive resort staff the public, and international research community, to report and effectively manage any sightings and raise awareness. 3. Map reported sightings of Pterois volitans in the Cayman Islands to quantify distribution & abundance. TARGET ongoing ongoing ongoing ongoing ASSOCIATED SPECIES PLANS Southern Stingrays Dasyatis americana Nassau Grouper Epinephelus striatus

Invasive Red Lionfish PROPOSED ACTION Policy & Legislation PL1. Pass and implement the National Conservation Law.

LEAD

PARTNERS

TARGET

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1

CIG

DoE Page: 2

2006

Section: 3.M.2.4 Marine Species - Fish - Invasive Red Lionfish

Invasive Red Lionfish PROPOSED ACTION PL2. Implement the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. PL3. Amend current legislation prohibiting take of fish on SCUBA, to facilitate managed capture and removal of Pterois volitans by specially licensed individuals.

LEAD DoE DoE MCB

PARTNERS CIG CIG MP

TARGET 2006 2009

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1 1

PL3. REPORT: Completed 2009. The Marine Conservation Board granted appropriate exemptions to the Marine Conservation Law to facilitate control of Lionfish in Cayman Waters. PL4. Add invasive species to list of species of aquaria fish that are banned from importation. DoE CIG DoA ongoing 1

PL4. REPORT: Completed. All species of lionfish and stonefish and any others in family Scorpaenidae & Synanceiidae added to DoE prohibited aquatic species list, Aug 2004. Safeguards & Management SM1. Initiate eradication of invasive species from Cayman Islands waters. SM1. REPORT: To-date (AUG 2010) over 2000 documented removals. SM1. REPORT: (NOV 2011) in excess of 10,000 estimated removals. SM2. Set up local scuba diving network to report local sightings. DoE MP 2009 1,2,3 SM2. REPORT: To-date (Aug 2009) an inter-islands network of 210 licensed volunteer divers have been trained in Lionfish ID and capture techniques. SM2. REPORT: To-date (Aug 2010) an inter-islands network of ca. 457 licensed cullers have been trained. SM3. REPORT: (NOV 2011) an inter-islands network of ca. 1084 licensed cullers has been trained. SM3. Assign a team of licensed individuals to remove animals from marine environment once sighted. DoE, REEF MP 2010 1,2 DoE CIG 2010 1 SM1. REPORT: To-date (Aug 2009) ca. 410 Lionfish have been removed from Cayman waters as a result of this project.

o-date 45 sets of SM3. REPORT: (AUG 2009) Funding for culling license course generously provided by the Governors Delegated Fund. T equipment have been issued to licensed divers. efforts. SM3. REPORT: (MAR 2010) DoE receives 20,000 grant from JNCC to support eradication efforts. SM3. REPORT: (DEC 2010) DoE gets permission from Government to import custom pole spears from US-based supplier to initiate resident spearing program to cull lionfish. First shipment of spears arrives and issued to residents (MAR 2011). SM4. Implement associated HAPs. Advisory A1. Promote best practice in aquarium trade to minimize chances of aquarists importing potentially dangerous species of fish into island. DoE MP DoA 2009 1 DoE 2015 1,2,3

A1. REPORT: All species of lionfish and stonefish and any others in family Scorpaenidae & Synanceiidae added to DoE prohibited aquatic species list, Aug 2004. A2. Promote that, when fish are imported for the aquarium trade, local aquarists and pet stores import Atlantic species. A3. Targeted awareness of the need for the National Conservation Law and the Endangered Species (Trade & Transport) Law. A3. REPORT: Extensive public outreach Mar-Sept 2010. Research & Monitoring RM1. Map distribution of Pterois volitans as they are sighted in the Cayman Islands. RM2. Investigate and field test control methods for Pterois volitans to determine most appropriate techniques for management purposes. DoE 2008 3 DoE DoE MP DoA CIG NT 2009 2006 1 1

RM1. REPORT: MapSource file of report and capture locations maintained by DoE (ongoing). DoE 2009 1,2,3

RM2. REPORT: (AUG 2011) Designed and tested lionfish trap with limited success. Section: 3.M.2.4 Marine Species - Fish - Invasive Red Lionfish Page: 3

Invasive Red Lionfish PROPOSED ACTION RM3. Conduct feasibility study and cost analysis to organize public participation of quarterly annual dives, to locate and dispose of lionfish.

LEAD DoE

PARTNERS MP

TARGET 2009

MEETS OBJECTIVE 1,2,3

RM3. REPORT: Co-organized and officiated seven Lionfish Culling Tournaments from SEPT 2010 through NOV 2011 with various dive companies removing over 2,000 lionfish combined. Communication & Publicity CP1. Establish international links with organizations and managers who are experienced in the control of Pterois volitans. DoE IntC CIG 2008 2

, CP1. REPORT: (2008) Made contact with REEF USGS and NOAA and have standing arrangement to share information. CP1. REPORT: (AUG 2010). DoE invited to attend a Regional Lionfish Strategy Workshop in Mexico to develop a best practices manual and serve as the foundation of a regional strategic framework for lionfish control in the wider Caribbean. CP2. Raise public awareness of invasive species, and the threat Pterois volitans poses to the general public, tourists, and the ecology of local coral reefs. DoE MP CIG DoT CITA SITA 2008 2

CP2. REPORT: Issued public press release and flyers to CITA and SITA, requesting assistance in locating lionfish in C.I. waters, Aug 2008. Mar 2009 a well-attended lecture series was delivered around the islands by Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF). CP2. REPORT: Press article Lionfish Roundup an Environmental Coup - 11 AUG 2010. Caymanian Compass. CP3. Compile an annual report on effectiveness of control / eradication attempts, to benefit the international management efforts for the control of Pterois volitans. CP4. Maintain a consistent effort to keep the public informed of the seriousness of the problem posed by lionfish, via news paper ads, public fliers, public signs and talks to school children to keep the problem in the lime light. DoE MP CIG DoT CITA SITA MP CIG DoT DE CITA SITA 2009 1,2,3

DoE

2009

CP4. REPORT: Project web presence established: www.doe.ky. Local watersports operator, Dive Tech, coordinated our first Lionfish Culling Dive Sept 2009. This event is open to resident divers and will be held every Saturday Sept-Oct. CP5. Utilise native flora and fauna, and associated preservation efforts, in the international promotion of the Cayman Islands. CIG DoE MP NT DoT 2010 2

Section: 3.M.2.4 Marine Species - Fish - Invasive Red Lionfish

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