FWC News Release: FWC’s next lionfish-control step prevents lionfish breeding, effective Nov. 26

November 18, 2014

 

 

Photos available on FWC Flickr site: Go to https://flic.kr/s/aHsjBiA5CJ.

 

Suggested Tweet: #Lionfish aquaculture: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/dd5be0 #Florida #fishing

 

FWC’s next lionfish-control step prevents lionfish breeding, effective Nov. 26

 

The breeding of lionfish will be prohibited starting Nov. 26. This change is one of the many steps the state has taken recently to help control the lionfish population. Lionfish are an invasive species that have a negative impact on native fish and habitat.

These changes were developed in coordination with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and include:

• Prohibiting the harvest and possession of lionfish eggs and larvae for any purpose other than destruction;
• Prohibiting the intentional breeding of lionfish in captivity.

A scientific-research exception will allow research institutions permitted by the FWC to breed and cultivate lionfish for the purposes of researching population control and impact mitigation.

Importation of live lionfish into Florida was prohibited Aug. 1. The FWC encourages divers and anglers to remove lionfish whenever they can.

See or catch a lionfish? Report a sighting by downloading the new Report Florida Lionfish app on a smart device or by visiting MyFWC.com/Lionfish and clicking on “Report Lionfish.”

To learn more about lionfish, visit MyFWC.com/Lionfish.

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