Lionfish Invitational 2023

Lionfish derbies have served to raise awareness of the invasive lionfish problem and remove large quantities of lionfish throughout the tropical western Atlantic (southeastern United States, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico). Unfortunately, this type of one-day dive/snorkel event is not practical for Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary due to the remote location and the depth of the reefs.

As an alternative, the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary hosts a Lionfish Invitational. This multi-day event is a science-based research expedition in which 11 dive teams work to remove as many lionfish as possible, while also recording helpful data on lionfish activity and sightings. In addition, a science team of eight divers conducts surveys to determine what species, quantities, and sizes of fish are present at each designated site before and after the removals.

Event details subject to change. Click source links for latest information.