Description: The project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel lionfish trap design, developed by the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), within lionfish hotspots in Bermuda. Through comprehensive surveys assessing fish community composition and lionfish density, it compared the trap’s efficiency with previous removal methods conducted by technical divers (BEST 2.0 project, 2016). Results were intended to inform resource managers about the most efficient approach for biodiversity preservation and establishing a cost-effective supply chain for lionfish in markets. The invasive lionfish, Pterois volitans and P. miles posed significant threats to native species in the Caribbean and Western Atlantic, impacting reef health, fisheries, tourism, and public health. The project objectives included establishing baseline reef fish biodiversity responses to removal efforts, determining optimal trap catch rates and soak times, and disseminating findings to stakeholders. Initial collaboration challenges with commercial fishermen were overcome, leading to cooperative efforts in deploying scientific equipment on their traps and sharing lionfish catch data within their finding areas. Despite lower-than-expected lionfish catches during the study, government support for lionfish-specific traps persists, considering the minimal by-catch associated with the non-containment trap design, especially following Bermuda’s ban on fish traps (pots) in 1990.
Duration: 16 months
