Compete in REEF's Lionfish derby in South Miami on April 28, 2012!

[REEF HQ]

Participate in REEF's Lionfish Derby this Saturday, April 28 in South Miami to
help protect the reefs and have fun competing for great prizes!
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Florida - Sponsored at Platinum level by Diver's Direct

• April 28 - Miami at Black Point Marina
• June 30 - Fort Lauderdale at 15th Street Fisheries
• August 18 - Palm Beach at Sailfish Marina
• September 8 - Key Largo at Coconuts

What is a derby?

A lionfish derby is a one day team competition to collect as many lionfish as possible. Teams collect lionfish during daylight hours using a variety of capture methods while either SCUBA diving, free diving, or snorkeling. Prizes are awarded to the teams with the most, biggest, and smallest lionfish caught.

Lionfish are a non-native species in this region with no controlling predators and large appetites for native fish and cursteceans. Removing lionfish from the reef helps minimize impacts to the delicate ecostystems found in our coastal waters. For info on past lionfish derbies click HERE.

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Total lionfish count for all REEF-sponsored derbies in the Florida Keys, South Florida, and the Bahamas:
2011 - 3,542
2010 - 1,578
2009 - 1,408

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General Derby Participation Information:

Friday Before Derby Day:
5:30 - 6:30pm: Late registration at derby location
7:00pm: Captain's Meeting* at derby location

*Captain's Meeting is mandatory for the team captains, and all team members are encouraged to attend. There will be a briefing on safe collection and handling procedures for lionfish.

Saturday Of Derby Day:

Sunrise: Teams may begin collecting lionfish.
5:00 pm: All lionfish must be turned in to the scoring station at the derby location.
5:00 - 7:00pm: Scoring, social and lionfish tasting open to the public.
7:00 - 7:30pm: Raffle and awards ceremony.

To register for the derby, click HERE.