First Name: Cindy
Current Event Posting Number: 2
Topic: Scince
Tile: Florida Keys Declare Open Season on the Invasive Lionfish
Writer: ERIK OLSEN
Publication Name: New York Times
Date of Publication: November 22, 2010
Length: 859 Words
Main Ideas:
On November 13, 18 teams consisted of spear fisherman brought nets and spears and competed to kill as many lionfish as they could with the hope of winning $3350. Lionfish is an invasive native species of the Indo-Pacific Ocean and the Red Sea. It is believed that it has been released by aquarists around the 1990s and it has since spread to North Carolina and through the Carribean. According to scientists, one female lionfish can produce annually approximately two million eggs. Scientists have examed that among 1000 lionfish’s stomaches, there are more than 50 species of prey fish involved. Lionfish also prey on parrotfish, which feed on algae and keep them from overgrowing and killing corals. Once, a single female lionfish was found in September 2009 at Dry Tortugas National Park, site managers were terrified because lionfish continue to grow its population rapidly and damaging the reef system on the Carribean, which serves as a guide to the site mangers. National OCeanic and Atmospheric Administration once said that it is impossible to eradicate the fish and the only hope is from local control. So, the 18 teams were competeing with one anothoer, but only 109 fishes were killed. One lion hunters explained another potential solution to eradicate the lionfish is to promote the fish as food for man. He commented that lionfish are considered excellent eating and peopl feasted on fried lionfish nuggets.
Conclusion: According to the news, lionfish grow in size rapidly, they can prey on more than 50 different kind of fish, and they are destroying reef system. Currently, particular reef in areas like Bahamas are filled almost completely with lionfish. If the reef system were damaged and depleted, this impact could affect the region’s economy, because they rely heavily on fishing. Locals have offered two possible solutions to this problem, one is promoting lionfish as food for human and the other one is organizing teams to compete with one another by killing as many lionfish as they possibly could.
That's hilarious.
ReplyDeleteBut on more serious terms, this is rather dangerous, lionfish are one of the most venomous when it comes to marine life, and corals are always an attraction for divers.
They have very few predators as well, so it's not likely that they can be hunted in the food chain to lower #s.
An over-sized population of lionfish is extremely dangerous for the ecosystem and economy of the area. I think that his problem should have been handled better by authorities. Making a sport out of the problem was not only unprofessional but it was also not effective. Also, simply killing a large number of lionfish will not get rid of the problem because the lionfish populations will probably grow back. Authorities should find a better, more permanent solution.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jon. I think making a sport out of this serious problem isn't the way to solve it. I think some sort of environmental agency should be ordered to help aid in this overpopulation of lionfish in North America.
ReplyDelete