GTM RESEARCH RESERVE MARINELAND OFFERS LECTURE ON INVASIVE LIONFISH

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 13, 2014

CONTACT: Patrician Price, 904-823-4506, Patrician.D.Price@dep.state.fl.us

GTM RESEARCH RESERVE MARINELAND OFFERS LECTURE ON INVASIVE LIONFISH

~Attend a free lecture about the ecology, impacts and control of the invasive species~

GTM Lionfish

Holden Harris, lecture series speaker, holds a lionfish.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve invites the public to a free lecture, "Ecology, Impacts and Control of Invasive Lionfish," on Tuesday, Oct. 21 from 10 - 11 a.m. at the GTM Research Reserve Marineland field office.

"Lionfish have become abundant offshore of Northeast Florida and are damaging saltwater fisheries, wildlife and habitat," said Michael Shirley, Ph.D., director of the GTM Research Reserve. 

The lecture will explain the natural history of the recent invasion, why lionfish are causing large-scale impacts on native marine life and current management strategies. The speaker, Holden Harris, is an environmental specialist at the GTM Research Reserve and will focus on how to help control lionfish. Topics will include safe practices for catching, cleaning and even cooking lionfish.

Harris has studied lionfish in the Turks and Caicos Islands and reef fish for Florida Fish and Wildlife's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. He holds a bachelor's degree in zoology with a minor in environmental science from the University of Florida. Besides serving as an environmental specialist, he is an ocean rescuer, a SCUBA instructor and a U.S. Coast Guard certified captain. Harris considers himself a biologist, science communicator, diver and ocean enthusiast.

The program is one of an ongoing third-Tuesday-of-the-month lecture series designed to help inform the public about their natural coastal world. These events are free, so space is limited and reservations are requested. Reservations can be made online by clicking here or by calling 904-823-4500 for more information.

WHAT:     Lecture: Ecology, Impacts and Control of Invasive Lionfish

WHEN:    Tuesday, Oct. 21
                10-11 a.m.

WHERE:  GTM Research Reserve Marineland Field Office
                9741 North Shore Blvd.         
                Marineland, FL 32137