Florida’s Invasive Lionfish Initiatives

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Florida's Invasive Lionfish Initiatives. Background The invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish were first reported offshore Broward County, Florida in 1985 and are now well established in the western Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. The FWC was one of the lead organizations to act by initiating procedures to evaluate the extent of the invasion, developing outreach and awareness messaging, removing potential regulatory barriers to removal, supporting control efforts, and implementing removal incentive programs. The FWC lionfish program was created within the Division of Marine Fisheries Management in 2014 and has grown significantly since establishment. Mission Statement The FWC will minimize the adverse impacts of lionfish in Florida through prevention, detection, and control by applying agency resources; providing leadership through guidance, planning, and coordination; and empowering stakeholders and partners. Overview The FWC Lionfish Program manages state policy and regulations; hosts outreach, education, and control programs; and supports research to improve removal efforts and management.