You might wonder, what exactly is a lionfish, and why do I need to be aware of it? Well, the lionfish is an invasive species lurking in the depths of waters in and around Pensacola. The exotic fish is native to South Asia but invaded Pensacola's waters over 10 years ago.
The lionfish threaten local fish species that Pensacola restaurant goers love to eat - but the good news is, you can hunt these venomous intruders with spears and embark on your own diving adventure.
Read on and find out how to engage in your lionfish adventure and enjoy these tasty fish.
To start, the diving scene in Pensacola is phenomenal. Whether you’re more of a beginner diver or an advanced diver, there are dive sites for all skill levels. Pensacola is home to the U.S.S. Oriskany, which is the largest artificial reef intentionally sunk in U.S. coastal waters. If you’re looking for something in shallower waters, there are plenty of dive sites – from bridge rubble to more ships to artificial reefs; there’s a dive for everyone looking to discover the underwater world of Pensacola.
Now, with all of these reefs, it means marine life - and this is where the lionfish hunting comes in. Since lionfish are an invasive species invading all over Pensacola’s waters, preying on our local fish, we need divers like you to help when you see them. Lionfish can have all kinds of negative impacts on the marine ecosystem in our area, and in order to mitigate that problem, divers in our waters like to go spearfishing. Typically, this involves using a pole spear. The good news is lionfish can be hunted year-round in federal waters. A recreational fishing license is not required to collect lionfish from Florida waters when using a pole spear, a Hawaiian sling, a handheld net, or any spearing device that is designed and/or marketed exclusively for lionfish. Once you’ve captured your lionfish with your pole, you’ll put it into a zookeeper. It looks like a tube-like container – you’ll see in the photo above. A zookeeper can hold typically 1-3 lionfish at a time depending on the size of the lionfish.
Check out Ocean Strike Team to help plan your own lionfish adventure.
Pensacola is a hidden secret if you want to scuba dive in the northwest Florida panhandle. We hear it all the time, "I didn't realize the diving was so good in Pensacola!". Let us tell you a little secret; it is so good!
to get started on diving into lionfish!
7203 Hwy 98 W Pensacola, FL 32506 (850) 456-8845
Once you’re done with your lionfish diving adventure, you can say you’ve helped better the marine ecosystem by eradicating these aggressive predators!
There you have it, your perfect and adventurous lionfish hunt! To learn more about lionfish visit http://www.myfwc.com/lionfish. See you in the water and happy hunting!
This website uses cookies to enhance your user experience on the website. Learn more.
