PADI * LEDS (Lionfish Eradication Divers Specialty) Course

[drrich2]

Save for the native Americans, we don't belong here either!

They were invasive, too. Just earlier.

We certainly are invasive, have no regular preditors, I guess you could eat us, but that doesn't seem to be a priority. As rediculous as that sounds, is it really any different?

Our species spread naturally without undue displacement 'help' from another.

As to whether eradicating lionfish to protect the environment is different that genocide against humans for same purpose, that depends on the value system by which you assign similarity and difference. Holding a Christian viewpoint, I deem the value of a human being as vastly greater than that of a lionfish. While humans have created a far greater detriment to the environment than invasive lionfish, to me at least, in the context of the value system I judge by, yes, it is very different indeed.

Not knowing your value system, I cannot answer for you whether genocide and cannibalism as a response to perceived human over population is 'really any different.'

As I said...no one is going to change their minds, and we (not me) will possibly make a dent to eradicate a species and only because they've learned to eat well and be capable of defending themselves (to an extent) from us. I swore I wasn't going to get into this, but it's almost become the norm to dive and see someone killing fish. I'm not down there to see that...I'm down there to take in the beauty of everything that most people never get to see, and leave no mark that I've ever been there.

We don't expect to eradicate lionfish. Culling them is intended to reduce populations on frequently dove reefs at recreational depths to provide a 'safe harbor' from their predation to those native species they threaten, which might just give those species more time to adapt, or at least slightly delay their extinction. Nobody expects to eliminate lionfish from the Caribbean. The only way for that to happen would probably entail biowarfare, some custom germ, and we aren't at a level scientifically to safely utilize something that like. Lionfish are here to stay; we'd like to help some of their 'victims' hold out, too.

The lionfish are a big 'mark' the human race left on the Caribbean & U.S. waters, so the very fact of their existence defies any pretense of pristine conditions. People killing them are trying to mitigate that mark, to a point. And for everyone who finds seeing lionfish nailed distasteful, there's likely someone else who thinks it'd be fun to take a crack at them. As for the beauty of things most people don't get to see, people sure won't see them if the lionfish eat them!

Richard.

 

[Karibelle]

Well then let's not stop there, let's clean up the USA!....Save for the native Americans, we don't belong here either! We certainly are invasive, have no regular preditors, I guess you could eat us, but that doesn't seem to be a priority. As rediculous as that sounds, is it really any different? Haven't past leaders tried to do this and we're horrified to even think about it? These are living creatures that have adapted to an environment very well. Over time something will evolve to eat them, and something to eat those as well. We think on very short time scales and only about ourselves. As I said...no one is going to change their minds, and we (not me) will possibly make a dent to eradicate a species and only because they've learned to eat well and be capable of defending themselves (to an extent) from us. I swore I wasn't going to get into this, but it's almost become the norm to dive and see someone killing fish. I'm not down there to see that...I'm down there to take in the beauty of everything that most people never get to see, and leave no mark that I've ever been there.

A rather unpopular viewpoint, I suspect you are going to find...

I agree with you. I'm torn on the subject of "eradicating the lionfish" because I see both sides... yes, they are an invasive species, but your point is valid also. Particularly the idea that we think on short time scales.

If you haven't read it already, you may enjoy a book called "The World Without Us" which is an essay that posits how "our planet would respond without the relentless pressure of human presence."

just my two cents.
kari

 

[Pullmyfinger]

Lionfish are a good target for people that suck at spear fishing.

Just kidding......if they were near me....I'd take the class and learn the proper handling techniques.
I'd have plenty of them bagged up in Food Saver bags, stored in my freezer.

At least they are an edible invasive species. Might as well take advantage of it if you happen to live in an area where the happen to be.

-Mitch

 

[SC_Hoaty]

Lionfish are a good target for people that suck at spear fishing.

Just kidding......if they were near me....I'd take the class and learn the proper handling techniques.
I'd have plenty of them bagged up in Food Saver bags, stored in my freezer.

At least they are an edible invasive species. Might as well take advantage of it if you happen to live in an area where the happen to be.

-Mitch

If you are still in Iwakuni, they are not really invasive. In the Caribbean, they would be invasive. Take a trip and enjoy!

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I'm still in Iwakuni.....you are correct, they are not an invasive species in the Pacific.
I saw Lionfish regularly on Guam, but the are indigenous to that area. I never bothered with Lionfish there, mostly Parrotfish or Mahi Mahi.

-Mitch

 

[Whatevva]

A rather unpopular viewpoint, I suspect you are going to find...

I agree with you. I'm torn on the subject of "eradicating the lionfish" because I see both sides... yes, they are an invasive species, but your point is valid also. Particularly the idea that we think on short time scales.

If you haven't read it already, you may enjoy a book called "The World Without Us" which is an essay that posits how "our planet would respond without the relentless pressure of human presence."

just my two cents.
kari

Thanx Kari, I ordered the book. Was in Cozumel 2 weeks ago, would have loved to chat for a bit. Maybe next trip.

 

[Quero]

How many of you noticed the real Giant Frogfish in front of the tiny one that ate the Lionfish? I didn't even see him until I watched the strike again.

I actually only saw the big dark-colored one until the yellow one emerged for the attack.

 

[James R]

Frogfish are funny that way! In Malaysia a few months ago I saw a yellow one on a night dive and when I took the photo the strobe lit up another one right next to him that I didn't see at first - photo in my gallery.

 

[Whatevva]

Our species spread naturally without undue displacement 'help' from another.

This is so far from being correct, but a diving forum is not the place to discuss this.

 

[XS-NRG]

Unfortunately, this is not a joke…the lionfish are an extreme epidemic outside of their natural habitats.

I did not know this. In fact I didn't know most of what's been posted now. I would have never thought to eat a lionfish either. Going to have to try that out now!!!