Eating the enemy

Conservationists target invasive lionfish with new cookbook

If you can't beat them, eat them.

 

That is what Florida Keys marine conservationists are recommending when it comes to the flood of lionfish that have invaded local waters.

In recent months, environmental groups and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary have launched efforts to convince the public that the invasive fish should be considered a delicacy. Adding to its appeal -- there is no closed season, no size limit and no bag limit.

This week, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) announced the release of "The Lionfish Cookbook," written by chef Tricia Ferguson with photos by David M. Stone. The book is a collection of 45 recipes crafted to encourage the harvest and consumption of lionfish.

The invader does have venomous spines, but when properly cleaned has a delicate, mild-flavored white meat, said REEF Director of Special Projects Lad Akins.

"We need to create a market for this fish," Adkins said.

"Developing a market is more feasible than having the government put a bounty on this fish. Government bounties in other countries have not worked."

Many countries are encouraging consumption of lionfish to create demand and incentive for lionfish removal.

Lionfish are showing up on restaurant menus in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic, and Adkins said he expects to start seeing it here in the Keys.

In addition to recipes, a section of the book is dedicated to the safe harvest and collection of the fish, which is known for its painfully venomous spines.

"The lionfish cookbook makes a great holiday gift because it not only offers 45 great recipes, but gives detailed information on the background of the invasion, lionfish biology, ecology and impacts and how to effectively collect and handle lionfish," Adkins said.

Lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific, are the first non-native marine fish to successfully invade Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico waters.

Lionfish densities in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and the East Coast of the United States are on the rise due to a lack of predators and their prolific, year-round reproduction, Adkins said. 

 

Thriving lionfish populations pose a serious risk to marine ecosystems through their predation on native marine life, including both commercially and ecologically important species, he said.

Adkins estimates about 27 percent of mature lionfish must be removed monthly for one year in order to halt increases in population.

The cookbook can be purchased online at www.reef.org 

 

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