Venomous, quick to reproduce and with no known predators, lionfish are currently invading the Atlantic Ocean as an invasive species, CNN reports, the growing epidemic having been originated by pet owners.
As lionfish are non-indigenous to the Atlantic and aggressive breeders and eaters, they post a great threat to the ocean's biodiversity, as fish have not adapted to staying away from them and do not recognize them as enemies instinctually. Lionfish can wipe out 90 percent of a reef, and are currently eating way more than they should.
Producing 30,000 to 40,000 eggs every few days and maturing sexually by one year, all of the lionfish found in the Amazon, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and in the waters along North Carolina can be traced back genetically to six to eight females who were released into the waters of Florida by unknowing pet owners decades ago.
"The lionfish invasion is probably the worst environmental disaster the Atlantic will ever face," Graham Maddocks, president and founder of Ocean Support Foundation, told CNN.
As humans started the problem, humans are also the only way it can be resolved.
In order to hunt the lionfish safely and efficiently, biologists need to capture their behavior and GPS coordinates on film, which requires all of the best technology in order for the camera and the human body to survive the extreme ocean depths at which the fish live. This work is essential, as Maddocks told CNN: "Scientists are scrambling for data."
Local residents are also taking part in the efforts by holding fish fries and tournaments to catch as many as possible, though Maddocks doubts these efforts may be enough to save the local fish populations.
"I don't know if we can stop the lionfish invasion. This isn't a battle we can win, we can only maintain," he said. "Human beings started this problem. It is our fault they are here. We have to take responsibility and try to fix or hope we can control it."
