The Florida Lionfish Tournament Begins Today
It’s an annual event in the Sunshine State and it serves a variety of purposes, including fun. The Florida Lionfish Tournament begins today, and you’ll find all of the details here.
Fishing is a favorite Southwest Florida past time. There are strictly enforced seasons for harvesting most species of fish. However, it is always encouraged to catch and keep lionfish when you find them.
Lionfish are gorgeous. Many people buy them for fish tanks then release them into the wild exacerbating the problem. They are an invasive species with no natural predator to keep them in check. These fish have been wreaking havoc on our precious coral reefs.
![Group of divers underwater with scuba equipment and two of them with action cameras.](https://espnswfl.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/60/2024/05/GettyImages-493028390_1716548182_.jpeg?w=724)
About The Florida Lionfish Tournament
This statewide fishing tournament opens on May 24th and runs through September 2nd, 2024. The goal is to get rid of as many of these fish as possible. This is the 9th year of the tournament and so far about 195,000 lionfish have been removed from the state’s waterways.
More About Florida Lionfish
The fish are mesmerizing with their bright colors and flowing spines. However, those spines contain a dangerous toxin. They are found in several spots on the fish but not all of them have venom so do your research. Once those spines are removed, the fish is OK to eat and the meat is good.
There have been efforts to create a viable commercial market for the fish but so far it has fallen flat. First, you have to dive to catch them. Next, not all of the fish have plentiful meat under those spines. Finally, some chefs and fisherman are weary of cleaning them. All of this drives up the price.
If you dive and like to fish, give catching these guys a try and maybe you can win some prizes too. To find all of the rules and how you can participate in the Florida Lionfish Tournament, just click here.