This document discusses invasive lionfish and efforts to manage their proliferation in the Caribbean and western Atlantic. It provides background on invasive species in general and explains why lionfish pose such a serious problem, namely their exponential reproduction rates, lack of natural predators, and ability to outcompete native species. The document then outlines lionfish physiology, behavior, and impact on ecosystems. It describes ongoing lionfish management and derby programs in the region aimed at increasing lionfish catches and public education to help address the invasive threat.
Many fishers and aquaculturists are poor and ill-prepared to adapt to change, making them vulnerable to impacts on fish resources. Nature of the climate change threat. Fisheries and aquaculture are threatened by changes in temperature and, in freshwater ecosystems, precipitation. Storms may become more frequent and extreme, imperilling habitats, stocks, infrastructure and livelihoods.
Climate Change: Implications for Fisheries and AquacultureECFoundation
The Fifth Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the
most comprehensive and relevant analysis of our
changing climate. It provides the scientific fact base that will be used around the world to formulate climate policies in the coming years.
This document is one of a series synthesizing the most pertinent findings
of AR5 for specific economic and business sectors. It was born of the belief
that the fisheries and aquaculture sector could make more use of AR5, which is long and
highly technical, if it were distilled into an accurate, accessible, timely,
relevant and readable summary. Although the information presented here is a ‘translation’ of the key content relevant to this sector from AR5, this summary report adheres to the rigorous scientific basis of the original source material.
Grateful thanks are extended to all reviewers from both the science and
business communities for their time, effort and invaluable feedback on
this document. The basis for information presented in this overview report can be found
in the fully-referenced and peer-reviewed IPCC technical and scientific
background reports at: www.ipcc.ch
Many fishers and aquaculturists are poor and ill-prepared to adapt to change, making them vulnerable to impacts on fish resources. Nature of the climate change threat. Fisheries and aquaculture are threatened by changes in temperature and, in freshwater ecosystems, precipitation. Storms may become more frequent and extreme, imperilling habitats, stocks, infrastructure and livelihoods.
Climate Change: Implications for Fisheries and AquacultureECFoundation
The Fifth Assessment Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is the
most comprehensive and relevant analysis of our
changing climate. It provides the scientific fact base that will be used around the world to formulate climate policies in the coming years.
This document is one of a series synthesizing the most pertinent findings
of AR5 for specific economic and business sectors. It was born of the belief
that the fisheries and aquaculture sector could make more use of AR5, which is long and
highly technical, if it were distilled into an accurate, accessible, timely,
relevant and readable summary. Although the information presented here is a ‘translation’ of the key content relevant to this sector from AR5, this summary report adheres to the rigorous scientific basis of the original source material.
Grateful thanks are extended to all reviewers from both the science and
business communities for their time, effort and invaluable feedback on
this document. The basis for information presented in this overview report can be found
in the fully-referenced and peer-reviewed IPCC technical and scientific
background reports at: www.ipcc.ch
Why are they introduced Exotic fishes transplanted in INDIA
Types/routes of introductions
A.Deliberate introductions
accidental introduction
predation on natives
competition
habitat alteration
parasites/diseases
genetic effects
ecosystem engineers – radically change structure of communities and habitats, e.g., zebra mussels
Effects of exotics
A brief presentation on fish vaccination and its application particularly in Bangladesh. The overall process is described in a nutshell here. The types, procedure of formation, regulation, licensing and use are among them.
A Powerpoint on teaching Aquatic Ecology
I found this by doing a "Google Search" on
"Aquatic Ecology" and ".ppt"
I posted this here for the benefit of a young teacher friend, but also wanted to make the point, especially to users of eInstruction's classroom Performance System, that by doing such a search, they can easily find Powerpoints they can use with their CPS system.
Also , Powerpoint will let you "save as " .jpg
so you can also use individual slides as graphics to illustrate individual CPS questions.
Bill McIntosh
843-442-8888
Email: WKMcIntosh@Comcast.net
Authorized eInstruction Consultant
www.eInstruction.com
My profile :
http://www.slideshare.net/WKMcIntosh/bill-mc-intosh-einstruction-consultant-2011
"Some men see things as they are and ask 'Why?'
I dream things that never were and ask, 'Why not?'"
Robert F. Kennedy, 1968
I am using site called Slideshare to post and share information about eInstruction’s products. Here are the links:
http://www.slideshare.net/WKMcIntosh/presentations
http://www.slideshare.net/WKMcIntosh/documents
http://www.slideshare.net/WKMcIntosh/videos
This site allows one to view the files before downloading.
Because I work with some federally sponsored education outreach programs, there are some “K-12 centric” files located here, but also a lot of not only product brochures and information for corporate and government users and Higher Ed users , but also how-to and help files that my clients tell me are very useful
Salinity is one of the environmental factors that influence the growth performance of many fish. Salinity effects have been studied in several species of fish in ponds .
Aquaculture continues to significantly expand its production, making it the
fastest-growing food production sector globally.
However, the sustainability of the sector is at stake due to the predicted effects of climate change that are not only a future but also a present reality.
In this Lecture, we review the potential effects of climate change on aquaculture production and its implications on the sector ’ s sustainability.
Various elements of a changing climate, such as rising temperatures, sea-level
rise, diseases and harmful algal blooms, changes in rainfall patterns, the uncertainty of external inputs supplies, changes in sea surface salinity, and
severe climatic events have been discussed. Furthermore, several adaptation options have been presented as well as some gaps in existing knowledge that
require further investigations.
These topic contains global scenario of aquaculture, demand consumption scenario and present status of aquaculture in India. These presentation also contain constraints, future prospects and challenges in aquaculture. Different aquaculture practices throughout the world.
I am uploading the Presentation on Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT). Tilapia is 3rd largest most prefered fish in world which is cultured in 75 countries. This presentation may be helpful to the students of Aquaculture.
“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” – Marie Curie
Sharks are disappearing without us noticing or caring. They are facing extinction. Some species are over 90% extinct.
More than 100 million sharks are killed per year. There is no global protection of sharks – there is no where we can ensure sharks can escape the slaughter. And even in our protected areas, there aren’t enough resources to patrol and keep our sharks safe.
This is complicated by the fact that people don't know about the issue or don't care about sharks because they don't realize how amazing – and critical – they are. Sharks are consistently misrepresented in the media as bloodthirsty and insatiable enemies of mankind, inspiring irrational fear in every body of water. This irrational fear has resulted in a lack of sympathy or concern for what we believe to be an important and grand animal.
Sharks have been in the oceans for over 400 million years, forming the life that has evolved within the seas. As predators at the top of the food chain, they play a critical role in maintaining the health of the ocean ecosystem. We have already witnessed the complete collapse of mollusk fisheries in Chesapeake Bay and the death of much of the coral in Belize both due to the cascading domino effects when sharks were removed from those fragile ecosystems. There is no telling what far-reaching effects we may experience if we remove sharks from our oceans, but the thought terrifies me. The oceans are our life support system: they control our climate, they provide our food and they generate 70% of the oxygen we breathe and remove 70% of carbon dioxide – the global warming gas.
Sharks are prey – not predators. At this point, up to 90% of key shark species have been destroyed but the demand for is still at an all time high fueled by greed. Even our marine reserves are the target of illegal shark fisheries.
If we don’t act now, we are going to lose our sharks – and our oceans – our life support systems on this planet. Everyone needs to be aware of this situation – and everyone needs to join the fight. We can save our sharks by coming together in a grass roots movement and turning our passion into action.
www.sharksavers.com.
Scuba Diving in Playa Del Carmen is an amazing experience for divers of all skill levels. Whether it is diving for beginners or advanced dives, Diversity Diving has something for everyone. The Lionfish invasion has a significant impact on the reef systems throughout the Caribbean. Do your part to help save our reefs.
Why are they introduced Exotic fishes transplanted in INDIA
Types/routes of introductions
A.Deliberate introductions
accidental introduction
predation on natives
competition
habitat alteration
parasites/diseases
genetic effects
ecosystem engineers – radically change structure of communities and habitats, e.g., zebra mussels
Effects of exotics
A brief presentation on fish vaccination and its application particularly in Bangladesh. The overall process is described in a nutshell here. The types, procedure of formation, regulation, licensing and use are among them.
A Powerpoint on teaching Aquatic Ecology
I found this by doing a "Google Search" on
"Aquatic Ecology" and ".ppt"
I posted this here for the benefit of a young teacher friend, but also wanted to make the point, especially to users of eInstruction's classroom Performance System, that by doing such a search, they can easily find Powerpoints they can use with their CPS system.
Also , Powerpoint will let you "save as " .jpg
so you can also use individual slides as graphics to illustrate individual CPS questions.
Bill McIntosh
843-442-8888
Email: WKMcIntosh@Comcast.net
Authorized eInstruction Consultant
www.eInstruction.com
My profile :
http://www.slideshare.net/WKMcIntosh/bill-mc-intosh-einstruction-consultant-2011
"Some men see things as they are and ask 'Why?'
I dream things that never were and ask, 'Why not?'"
Robert F. Kennedy, 1968
I am using site called Slideshare to post and share information about eInstruction’s products. Here are the links:
http://www.slideshare.net/WKMcIntosh/presentations
http://www.slideshare.net/WKMcIntosh/documents
http://www.slideshare.net/WKMcIntosh/videos
This site allows one to view the files before downloading.
Because I work with some federally sponsored education outreach programs, there are some “K-12 centric” files located here, but also a lot of not only product brochures and information for corporate and government users and Higher Ed users , but also how-to and help files that my clients tell me are very useful
Salinity is one of the environmental factors that influence the growth performance of many fish. Salinity effects have been studied in several species of fish in ponds .
Aquaculture continues to significantly expand its production, making it the
fastest-growing food production sector globally.
However, the sustainability of the sector is at stake due to the predicted effects of climate change that are not only a future but also a present reality.
In this Lecture, we review the potential effects of climate change on aquaculture production and its implications on the sector ’ s sustainability.
Various elements of a changing climate, such as rising temperatures, sea-level
rise, diseases and harmful algal blooms, changes in rainfall patterns, the uncertainty of external inputs supplies, changes in sea surface salinity, and
severe climatic events have been discussed. Furthermore, several adaptation options have been presented as well as some gaps in existing knowledge that
require further investigations.
These topic contains global scenario of aquaculture, demand consumption scenario and present status of aquaculture in India. These presentation also contain constraints, future prospects and challenges in aquaculture. Different aquaculture practices throughout the world.
I am uploading the Presentation on Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT). Tilapia is 3rd largest most prefered fish in world which is cultured in 75 countries. This presentation may be helpful to the students of Aquaculture.
“Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.” – Marie Curie
Sharks are disappearing without us noticing or caring. They are facing extinction. Some species are over 90% extinct.
More than 100 million sharks are killed per year. There is no global protection of sharks – there is no where we can ensure sharks can escape the slaughter. And even in our protected areas, there aren’t enough resources to patrol and keep our sharks safe.
This is complicated by the fact that people don't know about the issue or don't care about sharks because they don't realize how amazing – and critical – they are. Sharks are consistently misrepresented in the media as bloodthirsty and insatiable enemies of mankind, inspiring irrational fear in every body of water. This irrational fear has resulted in a lack of sympathy or concern for what we believe to be an important and grand animal.
Sharks have been in the oceans for over 400 million years, forming the life that has evolved within the seas. As predators at the top of the food chain, they play a critical role in maintaining the health of the ocean ecosystem. We have already witnessed the complete collapse of mollusk fisheries in Chesapeake Bay and the death of much of the coral in Belize both due to the cascading domino effects when sharks were removed from those fragile ecosystems. There is no telling what far-reaching effects we may experience if we remove sharks from our oceans, but the thought terrifies me. The oceans are our life support system: they control our climate, they provide our food and they generate 70% of the oxygen we breathe and remove 70% of carbon dioxide – the global warming gas.
Sharks are prey – not predators. At this point, up to 90% of key shark species have been destroyed but the demand for is still at an all time high fueled by greed. Even our marine reserves are the target of illegal shark fisheries.
If we don’t act now, we are going to lose our sharks – and our oceans – our life support systems on this planet. Everyone needs to be aware of this situation – and everyone needs to join the fight. We can save our sharks by coming together in a grass roots movement and turning our passion into action.
www.sharksavers.com.
Scuba Diving in Playa Del Carmen is an amazing experience for divers of all skill levels. Whether it is diving for beginners or advanced dives, Diversity Diving has something for everyone. The Lionfish invasion has a significant impact on the reef systems throughout the Caribbean. Do your part to help save our reefs.
"Integrated science for integrated management: fairy tale or finally here?" by Phillip Levin, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, USA
ICES ASC Plenary lecture Thursday 18 September 2014
3. Invasive Species
What is an Invasive Species?
Throughout the Kingdom Class Systems
One of the most serious threats to the environment and global
economies.
According to the US fish and wildlife services - Invasive species cost the
US more than $120,000,000,000 a year
4. Why they are an issue?
The environments they invade are often fragile
Brought as Biological Control
Biologically Superior
Unbalanced Food Web
Exponential Growth Rate
Eventual Economic Effects
5. Survival of the Fittest
Genetically – The Best of the Best
Capture.
200
Transport to
American
market.
150
Interim period
in tanks
awaiting sale
100
Life in
aquarium
50
Released Into
Wild
25
10. Reproduction
Quick to reach sexual maturity
Highly fecund with a very fast reproduction cycle
A female can produce many eggs as a gelatinous mass which floats
Juveniles grow very quickly
Exponential population increase
11. Habitats & Behavior
Practically all Habitats
Temperature is the Primary Factor
Slow Moving
Ambush Predators
Rapid Growth
Larger than Native Relatives
Feed on +50 Species
15. Venomology & Stings
Symptoms
Sting Protocol
First Aid
Diminish Pain
Seek Advanced Medical Care
16. Lionfish Management
Utila – BICA Annual
Derby
Report Sightings to REEF
Biological Controls?
Encourage Sustainable
Fishing!
Get Involved!
Spread the word!
Take BICD’s lionfish
program
17. Lionfish Program BICD
Safety
Importance of Buoyancy
Control
Lionfish Spearing
Making your Shot Count
Containment
On Boat Protocol
18. Lionfishing – Shark Encounter
Testimonials
Jon – “I always hope to see a shark while lionfishing”
Tiger or Bull – Unscrew the lid and dump lionfish out
Albert – “Chill Out”
If shark is aggressive - Keep it in front and worst case poke
the shark with the lionfish spear.
Steve – “Kill more lionfish to try and get more sharks”
Louise – “I would start crying, panic uncontrollably and pray”
Louise’s Real Answer – “If an aggressive shark (Bull or Tiger)
was interested in the container, I would place it on the ocean
surface and letReal the it investigate it. Then pick up
container and leave. If it was a nurse shark, I would push it
away”
Apparently Divers love to see sharks at any time!
19. Other sources
Caribbean invasive alien species network http://www.ciasnet.org/
National geographic, Lionfish
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/lionfish/
US department of state, Invasive species
http://www.state.gov/e/oes/ocns/opa/marine/invasive/
REEF.org http://www.reef.org/programs/exotic/lionfish/resources
Gulf marine report. http://www.gulfofmaine.org/state-of-the-
gulf/docs/marine-invasive-species.pdf
“Lionfish Expert” - John Bodden
Local knowledge, DM’s and Boat Captains
http://lionfish.co/lionfish-faq/
Editor's Notes
Start off with explaining Invasive Species in general
as well as the problems they bring with them
Narrow it down to problems occurring on the reef here in Utila regarding lionfish
How to manage Lionfish
US state department defines invasive species as: “non-native organisms that harm, or have the potential to harm, the environment, economy, or human health”
Most Invasive species are brought from their Natural Habitat via Human Interaction,
Taken as pets or to be used as biological controls against other invasive species (does not always work out as planned)
New Habitat – Biologically Supperior - Little to No Predators This leads to an extremely unbalanced ecosystem causing the invasive species to thrive.
Invasive species can fall under any of the 5 Kindoms of Classification. Protista, Fungi, Plantae, Animalia
Avian Influenza & West Nile Virus (protista)
Chestnut Blight – Fungal Disease that has basically eliminated mature Chestnut Trees in America
White Pine Blister Rust – Fungal Disease that Kills 5 Needle White Pine Trees (Plantae)
Cane Toad & Lionfish
It is estimated that the US spends $100 million on invasive species prevention and invasive species costs them 120 billion a year.
Most are usually brought to environments that are already fragile
Cane toad is Native to Central & South America
Brought to Austrailia as biological control – Cane and Frenchi Beetle (Detrimental to Sugar Cane)
This caused loads of Environmental Concerns and No Data to show the biological control worked
Secrete Poison on their Skin – NO NATIVE AUSTRALIAN SPECIES CAN WITHSTAND
No Predators = Inevitable Population Growth & Expansion
Concern! Believed to reach the Kimberely Region.
Wipe out many indigenous species
80 New Species of Snails found will be effected
Giant Slender Blue Tail Skink (Reptile) only found in Kimberely
Economic Effect - Tourism – Visit AUS to see wildlife not found throughout the world.
Wildlife Extinction = Decrease Tourism = Economic Turmoil
Ornamental Aquarium Species - This is a hypothetical population however it is useful to explain how the lionfish individuals introduced into the northern hemisphere are so successful.
The population at point of capture are 200
Weaker fish die off During Transport – Stress of traveling across the world - Can not out compete other Lionfish While waiting to be sold to Aquariums - Not suited for Aquarium Life and Living with other species - Released into the wild from owners- Of those 25 released only 6-7 survived and created all this havok
From a population of 200 only the genetically strongest lionfish survived to colonize, which passes only the strongest genetics onto their offspring.
Hurrican Andrew Theory - Walter Courtenay (Fisheries Biologist and Professor at University of Florida) theorized this but came out and said it was 2nd hand information with little to no facts to back it up
Wanted to raise awareness of problem
Genetic Data shows invasive lionfish come from an original 6-7 lionfish
He believes this is from someone or several people releasing lionfish or lionfish eggs into the the water
Kept in check in colder waters, started to thrive when they reached warmer Caribbean and southern Florida
Two Species Involved are – Red Lionfish 93% (Blue) and Common Lionfish (Green)
Densities are much higher in the invaded territory than they are in their native locations
Blue is Red lionfish
Green is Common Lionfish
Scorpionfish family
Barred in coloration - Red, White & Brown Stripes on Head and Body
20 Species wolrdwide
2 are invasive (Red Lionfish & Common Lionfish)
Fleshy Tentacles on Head and Mouth
Fan like Pectoral Fins
Separated dorsal spines
13 dorsal spines, 10-11 dorsal rays, 3 anal spines and 6-7 anal soft rays
Venemous Spines
Growth –
Adults - Up to 18 inches (0.5 Meters)
Juveniles – 1 Inch
Reproduce within their 1st year
3-5 Times Faster than local species
Can Spawn Year Round - every 4 days
Spawn in Pairs – extensive courtship during evening & nighttime hours
Eggs
Release 2 masses during each spawning event
May contain up to 30,000 eggs
2 Million over a year
Rapid Growth
Juvenile – 1 mm/day
Approaching Maturity – 0.6 mm/day
Distribution
Fertilized Eggs Released near surface & Float for 2 Days in gelatinous mass
Hatching – Mass Breaks and larva drift for approximately 24-27 days before settlement
Eggs Drift Downstream & Establish New Populations
Via Ocean & Wind Driven Currents
AGAIN – Can spawn once every 4 days!
All Habitats
Lethal Low Temp – 10 Degrees Celcius
Occasionally Open Ocean
More often in Corals & Crevices
Deepest Depth – 1,000 ft (333 Meters)
Generally Conspicuous, Slow Moving, Docile and Non Evasive
Swim by undulating dorsal & anal fins
Max Size
Native – 32-35 cm
Invasive Territory – Largest official Record 47 cm
Unofficial records show over 52 cm
Opportunistic & Ambush Predators
Lionfish hunting behavior includes stalking and ambush.
They corner fish against barriers by flaring their fins and then feed.
Puff Jets of water to confuse and stun their prey
Consume over 70 species of Fish & Invertabrates
Gape Limited only by size of their mouth
Can eat fish up to half their own length
Prey include:
Commercially valuable species –
Juvenile Groupers and Snappers
Recreationally important species –
Fairy Basslets, Seahorses and Jawfish - among others
Ecologically important species
Grazers (Parrotfish & Hamlets) - Help keep algal growth in check
Cleaners – Banded Coral Shrimp – Eat parasites and clean wounds to maintain the health of the fish community.
So what are the risks of lionfish invasion?
Experiment - NOAA lab (North Carolina) = No predation attempts on small lionfish by large, wild predators
Included Goliath Grouper, Red Grouper and Gag Grouper also Black Seabass
Increase competition with other native predators
Severely Hinderer the recovery of at risk species
Economical
3 Year Natural Reef Study –
Reduced Biomass of Fish Prey by AVG 65% Stephanie J Green from Oregon State
Some Sites showed 95% decline
Fish Diversity Decrease = Decrease in Recreational Diving & Possibly Recreational Swimming in General
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association
Symptoms – Immediate but can build over time
Majority – Isolated to pain & swelling at sting site
Rare Cases – Numbness, Muscular Paralysis, Blistering & Tissue Necrosis, Headache, Nausea
Alert other divers that you have been stung
Bang on your tank
Make an immediate ascent including safety stop
0 Reported deaths from lionfish stings but approximately 42 people die per year via Bends
Inspect the wound for any foreign material
Soak the affected area in hot water for up to 30 minutes.
First aid starts with prevention
Do not get stung, make conscious movements while lionfishing
Be aware of surrounding divers
Soak in hot water, not cold
As hot as you can stand – Slows Spread & Eases Pain
Do not oversoak – Brief breaks prevents tissue damage from heat
Symptoms do not respond or others arise - seek immediate medical attention.
BICA Derby
Report Sightings
Biological Controls?
Native Predators are Sharks & Groupers
Do not feed them!
Get involved spear fishing guys, together we can take down some of the population numbers and BICA runs an annual lionfish hunt.
Divers and snorkelers have a responsibility to the reef, don’t think this wont affect you!
Report all of your lionfish sightings to REEF so that we can keep track of lionfish spread and target hunting and culls
Eat sustainable fish - groupers, sharks and other large predators may start hunting lionfish in time
Studies have confirmed that there needs to be a lot of them to have any affect and they're numbers cant regenerate when they are still being fished.
Create a demand for lionfish on the island, buy lionfish from restaurants who sell it!
Problem: Albert – Parrotfish & Lionfish taste the same
Not too late for reef to recover
Most Successful Solution is Spearfishing
Dive in Pairs or a Group
1 Has Canister & 1 Has Spear
Speared Lionfish go into a Containment Canister
ALWAYS – Canister Holder Check
Ask & Wait for OK signal – Don’t rush to container – No Sporadic Movements – Be conscious
Importance of Buoyancy Control (Hover) –
Do not mess up reef while lionfishing
Should be stable while firing
Know where to aim & Get Close to Target!
Kill Shot = Between the eyes (Instant)
The gills works as well since it will inhibit their breathing and suffocate them.
Below their head is mainly muscle –Intestine is exposed and falling out lionfish will still swim away
Importance of a group
Non Kill Shot
Harder to get into containment canister
Studies Show – A miss will make them aware of the danger and become more evasive around approaching divers
Who is most likely to be stung?
Diver Spearing, Diver w/ Container, Nearby Divers
DO NOT HOLD BOTTOM ON CONTAINER – Orientate yourself depending on what bucket you are using.
Rebeccas Container “Zoo Keeper”
Home Made Containers
Holes on Bottom
More common when container is full
Bad habits
What would you do to help someone who is stung?
Rule – Must have hot water on boat while lionfishing
Back on boat - put lionfish on ice.
Ice breaks down the venom – Incase of on boat accident
We caused this lionfish problem, it is our responsibility to help fix it. Hunting other fish instead of lionfish will only cause more unnecessary pressure on an already strained reef.
Lionfish do not fear you since they do not see you as a threat. If you attempt to spear one and miss, they are very quick to realize that divers are dangerous and the 2nd shot will be much harder due to the fact that they will be trying to evade you.
DO NOT FEED the killed Lionfish to sharks. This will cause sharks to associate divers and food together, which will lead to more aggressive sharks in our waters. Sharks are phenomenal to see in the wild; however, no body wants a shark bumping them and circling them while looking for a meal.
Diver and Captain Testimonies
Jon
Albert
