Become an Official Lionfish Hunter and Support Cozumel's Reefs!

The Lionfish Hunting Safari will take place on Cozumel, October 19 - 23, 2011. There will be a Press Conference followed by a training session on Oct. 19 in City Hall. The hunt will span two days and there will be a gastronomic festival showcasing the Lionfish in a wide variety of dishes. The closing ceremony and celebration will be held at Sr. Frogs and Carlos n' Charlies on Cozumel.

Beautiful but deadly, the Lionfish (Pterois volitans) has invaded the Mesoamerican reef. The Lionfish is a fascinating creature and a formidable adversary. The fish wield over 15 venomous spines, can survive for 12 weeks with no food because their stomachs can expand to 30 times its regular size and have a voracious appetite for shrimp, lobster and all kinds of fish. Lionfish have a lifespan of 5 – 10 years and can reach 42 cm in length.  They reach sexual maturity at 1 year and can produce 30,000 eggs at a time making it extremely difficult to completely expunge from a region once it has been introduced. This species is a predatory venomous fish that has no natural enemies in the Caribbean, so it can significantly reduce biodiversity of the local habitat. It can drive important fish species to extinction, negatively affecting the MAR reef ecosystem and negatively impacting the coastal communities that depend on income from scuba diving and sustainable fishing activities within the region.

lionfish Hunting Safari

 Lionfish Sarari Program of Events