Lion Fish for Dinner

[KingBubba]

As some of you may be aware of, a Pacific species, the lion fish has been accidentally introduced into the waters off Florida. It has been spreading North in the Gulf and can be found as far North in the Atlantic as North Carolina. This species is voraciously stripping the waters it has spread to. In Florida the snapper and grouper populations are showing sign of decline. Reefs and rocky gathering points for fish are now devoid of life, big or small, leaving only the lion fish swimming there. Though they reach only about 18" in length, they will eat anything they can fit in their mouth. Divers have even found small lobster in their stomachs.

There is a growing population of divers that are now starting and sponsoring lion fish derbies and it is having the needed effect. Restaurants are becoming sponsors and are now putting lion fish on the menu. The meat is white, tender and tasty. The restaurants and even Whole Foods are selling the lion fish. This is the only way we are going to control them is to eat them into smaller populations. Lobster trappers are now catching them in their traps and the possibility of trap fishing for them may become not only good for the fisherman, but also all the species that are being threatened by the lion fish. Eventually, nature may come up with other controls, but, until then, man will have to be the sole control. We can do our part by educating our local restaurant owners of the presence of great eating fish and try to get them to put them on the menu. Get the word out to your local restaurants and markets. If you are a diver in the areas being infested, target the lion fish and spear them into oblivion. Thanks for your time.

 

[Hajidub]

The asian carp infestation in the Missouri river is another one. That's the one where the scientists use electrical shock to get them to jump. Zimmerman (Bizarre Foods) ate them and said is was the cleanest tasting white fish he's ever had. He said this is the fish that catfish lovers have been looking for!

 

[grillebilly]

Same thing with us with the Northern Snakehead. Fight like crazy and very tasty, the only freshwater fish I keep. It's illegal to have a live one in your possession.
They catch then up to 18 pounds in the Potomac River.

 

[KingBubba]

Potomac was the center of the introduction. Whoever did the distribution most likely had no idea what a problem they created.

By the way, there is a great article in the June issue of "The Smithsonian. Some good reading.

 

[grillebilly]

Some good reading.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/scie...ed-army-divers-chefs-fighting-back-180968999/

 

[RT Fan]

My aunt who lives in Savannah went to a dinner where various chefs from restaurants in the area prepared lion fish using different recipes. She is not the most adventurous eater but said the fish was very tasty. The event raised funds for education and awareness of the lion fish problem in southern waters. Kill them & eat them, sounds like a plan.

 

[Beatnik]

 

[Bob]

those invasive species from Asia are all too edible (tasty, easy to clean, easy to eat) - problem
is too many of us are eating the sushi fishes to extinction when these are so abundant, and
so easily caught and, in my opinion, better food.