The rapid reproduction rate of the venomous lionfish has caused a massive decline on the population of native fish species in the Atlantic.
Findings of the study showed that the lionfish has been introduced to the waters of Atlantic as early as 1990 and now, they have access to the deeper waters of Florida. Mitigation measures are being employed to keep their population low and to protect the native species but none of these proved to be effective. One study even found out that even sharks cannot help in controlling the population of the lionfish. Similarly, researchers have also discovered that it some areas in the Atlantic, lionfish was able to wipe out 95 percent of the native species population.
Authorities in the Bahamas and Florida have launched fishing derbies which encouraged fishermen to hunt for the lionfish. However, due to the rapid reproduction of the lionfish, eradicating them altogether, let alone decrease their population to give the native species a chance is virtually impossible.
However, Stephanie Green, an ecologist from the Oregon State University and study leader found a solution that can help keep the problem at bay. "...by creating safe havens, small pockets of reef where lionfish numbers are kept low, we can help native species recover. And we don't have to catch every lionfish to do it", she said to LiveScience.com.
To test their theory, the researchers used ecological models to calculate the total percentage of lionfish that needs to be captured in a specific site in order to help the native species flourish or recover.
The team analyzed 24 models of coral reefs located at the Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. For areas where the population of the lionfish is managed below the threshold, the population of the native fish species increased from 50 percent to 70 percent. However, for areas where intervention was not done, the population of native fish species kept on decreasing.
Potential application of the study's result include in helping conservationist and wildlife managers to identify which sites they would focus on for the removal of lionfish. Green recommended focusing on areas were young fish species thrive, such as shallow reefs and mangroves.
The study was published in the Jan. 23 issue of Ecological Applications.
