Daniel Embleton

• Assessing Effectiveness of Recreational Diver-Led Containment of Invasive Lionfish in the Caribbean
• BSc Jt Hons Psychology and Biology

The project aimed to assess the effectiveness of recreational-diver-led containment efforts in reducing populations of invasive lionfish in the Caribbean. It was hypothesised that busier dive sites would host fewer lionfish than those visited less often by dive operators. Over 30 dive sites were assessed around the island of Utila, Honduras.

Contrary to expectations, low numbers of lionfish were recorded at almost all dive sites. This finding indicates the effectiveness of the containment efforts spearheaded by dive shops on the island, and of recreational ‘lionfish hunters’. However, all surveys were conducted at depths of less than 30m, while anecdotal data from technical divers confirms that large numbers of lionfish remain at greater depths.

Several ecological questions emerged naturally from the project. It seems that even relatively low hunting pressure is enough to limit populations, while the impact of this altered distribution on native species may also warrant investigation.

Funded by: Newcastle University Research Scholarship

Project Supervisor: Dr Theresa Rueger