2017 Lionfish derbies & tournaments

What is a lionfish derby?

 A lionfish derby is a single day competition to collect and remove as many lionfish as possible. Teams of spearfishermen collect lionfish by spearing while SCUBA diving, or less commonly by free diving. Teams begin competing at sunrise and are required to bring their catch to the scoring station by a designated time. Each fish is measured, and prizes are awarded for teams catching the most, biggest, and smallest lionfish. The public is invited to watch scoring, taste free lionfish samples, watch filleting and dissection demonstrations, and ask questions about lionfish.

The evening before the derby participants attend a mandatory Captain's Meeting. This presentation includes lionfish biology, ecology, impacts, collecting and handling tools and techniques, and derby rules.

Why hold lionfish derbies and lionfish tournaments?

 Good Question

Early on in the lionfish invasion the goals of the lionfish derby were to 1) Remove significant numbers of lionfish 2) Increase education and awareness 3) Train divers to hunt lionfish 4) Provide samples for research and 5) Create a commercial market

We've created the commercial market

In 2011 there were 2381 pounds of commercial lionfish sold in Florida. In 2012 it was 11,450 pounds, in 2013 12,946 pounds, in 2014 24,511 pounds and in 2015 it reached a whopping 72,446 pounds. 

We have also done a great job of increasing awareness among divers. We feel that it's time to allow the market to take over since divers can now profitably sell their lionfish. (See this list for wholesalers looking to buy your lionfish in Florida)  

2016 Lionfish Tournament and Derby Results

2016