Lionfish Coalition announces spearfishing tournament

More than $10,000 in cash and prizes are available for successful spearfishermen during the Gulf Coast Lionfish Coalition’s Lionfish Shootout Series on the northern Gulf Coast.

A total of five tournaments are planned, starting on June 28 at SanRoc Cay Marina, followed by tournaments at Outcast Charter Docks on July 26, Sportsman Marina on August 16 and Zeke’s Landing Marina on September 6, all in Orange Beach, Ala.

The grand finale, the Fall Lionfish Roundup, will be a two-day event held Sept. 27-28 at the Flora-Bama Yacht Club on Perdido Key, Fla.

The lionfish is the first marine invasive fish species to become established in the Atlantic and has rapidly spread throughout the Caribbean and into the Gulf of Mexico. The lionfish is a voracious eater despite its size (up to 16.5 inches) and competes with native fish species for its forage base of small fish like wrasses and tomtates.

Because lionfish are seldom caught by hook-and-line fishermen, the only productive way to keep the population in check is through the organized efforts of the diving community, which can spear the fish on reefs and underwater habitat from nearshore to depths of 100 feet and more.

Lionfish possess 18 venomous spines, which are used for defense. There are 13 venomous spines on the dorsal fin, two on the pelvic fins and three on the anal fins. The venom is a protein-based neurotoxin, which can cause severe pain and swelling. Spearfishermen use techniques to carefully avoid the spines.

Although the spines, which are removed during the cleaning process, are venomous, the lionfish flesh is a delicacy.

“It tastes like freshwater crappie to me,” Chef Chris Sherrill of the Flora-Bama Yacht Club said. “It’s a lot like flounder, light and fluffy. It’s delicious.”

Visit http://www.gulfcoastlionfish.com/lionfish_events.html for more information and a complete list of tournament rules and regulations.