Imagine a predator on the loose. A bold creature; a voracious eater. With a mantle of venomous spines, prey to no-one else. Imagine a lion on the loose: a Lion of the Deep.
LIONS OF THE DEEP
‘Lionfish’. ‘Scorpion Volitans’. ‘Firefish’.
Even its name reveals the fiery character of the Indo-Pacific red lionfish, scientifically know as Pterois volitans/miles. With bold maroon and white zebra stripes, and a plume of feathery spines, the lionfish is a stunning specimen. Elegant. Graceful. Deadly to its prey.
The red lionfish’s profuse dorsal, anal and pelvic spines deliver a venomous sting that is fatal to potential predators; painful and dangerous to humans.
Native to the tropical Indo-Pacific region, red lionfish have been introduced to the Atlantic Ocean within the past several years, and gained a foothold in the coral and rocky reefs along the Gulf Stream.
Without any natural predators in these waters, the lionfish are thriving – putting indigenous marine species at risk, as well as recreational and commercial divers and anglers who come in contact with the fish.
The Essential Image Source Foundation (EISF) joins forces with NOAA/NOS Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research (CCFHR) to explore the invasive red lionfish – its expanding grip on the Coastal Atlantic, behavior, and impact.
With funding provided by NOAA’s Sea Grant and the Aquatic Invasive Species Program, EISF has gathered high definition footage for documentary and cutting-edge web-based usage, plus informational products targeted at medical responders; aquarium hobbyists and industry; and public outreach to warn SCUBA divers and anglers of the dangers of Indo-Pacific red lionfish.
EISF Founder and President Susan Sember is joined in this endeavor by Scientific Advisor Dr. Ford “Bud” Cross, and Paula E. Whitfield, Research Biologist at the NOAA Laboratory on Pivers Island, as Co-Principal Investigators. The production and creation of numerous high definition educational and outreach products, including two public service announcements, a medical treatment video and a short informational video about the lionfish research were completed and distributed to broadcasters, aquaria, medical treaters, as well as the SCUBA and fishing communities.
Go to our "Behind the Scenes" Blogs for reportage on the Lions of the Deep and mission logs of the R/V Nancy Foster lionfish film production.
Photography by Doug Kesling
Native to the tropical Indo-Pacific region, red lionfish are often kept in both public and private aquariums. Since 2000, however, the red lionfish has been observed in coral and rocky reefs along the southeast coast of the U.S., from Florida to North Carolina and including the Bahamas, Bermuda and Cuba. There is concern among fishery scientists that the red lionfish, having no natural enemies, may adversely impact natural fish populations. In addition, this fish has venomous spines that pose a danger to divers and anglers.
In 2006, NOAA’s Invasive Species Program and Sea Grant Program provided funding to the Essential Image Source Foundation and the NOAA/NOS Coastal Center for Fisheries and Habitat Research to develop an outreach and education project to inform the primary users of coastal waters of the presence of the red lionfish, the risks involved with handling them, and to encourage the reporting of sightings and captures.
Although lionfish are being observed regularly along the southeast coast of the U.S., there is increasing concern that its geographic range will continue to expand throughout the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the Florida Keys.
The links below contain down-loadable flyers (in color) that contain information on how to identify red lionfish and report sightings. One flyer has been developed for divers and the other for anglers. Please use and distribute these flyers liberally, and encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same.
Numerous organizations have also posted these flyers on their web sites, as well. As such, we invite you to do the same encouraging your professional association, club, or any other diving or fishing group to post these flyers on their web sites, joining our outreach campaign. It is through this kind of active participation, that we can inform the public of this unwanted invasive species and encourage appropriate action.
Please continue to visit our web site for future outreach products and videos and register at our web site to receive further updates.
Stings from lionfish can be serious, and should not be taken lightly. Any broken spines should be removed, if possible, and the affected area soaked in non-scalding hot water (100-110 degrees F. or 38-43 degrees C.) for 15-20 minutes. Lionfish venom contains proteins that are denatured by heat, thus, preventing them from spreading in the bloodstream.
If hot water is not available, aspirin, or aspirin with codeine can be taken. (Do not use hot water and aspirin together.) Because possible adverse reactions or secondary infections can occur from lionfish stings, a medical professional should be seen as soon as possible.
Due to the presence of lionfish in deeper offshore waters, envenomations may occur far from land during diving or fishing operations. These situations present a special circumstance that require some advance planning, because medical attention cannot, necessarily, be obtained immediately. Therefore, the presence of a hot pack on board is helpful and can then be utilized if hot water is not readily available. In addition, it is recommended that you call the Aquatic Toxins Hotline at the Florida Poison Information Center in Miami, where medical experts will advise you about the treatment, including in Spanish. This Hotline is available 24/7, and the number is 888-232-8635. A high definition medical treatment video was created and produced by EISF and is available for distribution on DVD and HDCAM to medical providers.
(This medical advice was approved by the Florida Poison Information Center – Miami)