These poisonous non natives have no natural enemies, are gobbling up local fish & breeding like underwater rabbits. Scuba, snorkel & free divers can help 'cull the herd' & win quite a few 'fins' by signing up for 'lionfish derbies'.
Basically, derby teams have a day to catch as many lions as they can. This past weekend in Palm Beach County the team who snagged the most hooked a cool grand. Plus the largest & smallest lion netted $500 each.
REEF (Reef Environmental Education Foundation - who sponsor the derbies) is also hoping the catches spawn restaurant interest in adding lions to local menus. It's supposed to taste like a cross between grouper & snapper.
And you thought it would taste like chicken.
Two more derbies are planned for this year: August 20 in Key Largo & November 5 in Key West.
For more info: http://www.reef.org/
Where else can you hunt 'lions' & get swimmer's ear at the same time?
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