Lionfish invade Brazilian coral reefs as fishers respond
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Fishers in Porto Seguro, Brazil, have removed at least 440 invasive lionfish from the waters off the northeastern coast in recent weeks.
The local government partnered with the Colônia Z-22 fishing association to pay the fishers 10 Brazilian reais ($1.90) per lionfish, aiming to control the spread of a species that threatens native fish populations. Lionfish, native to the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, have begun to appear at the Abrolhos reefs, the largest coral reef system in the South Atlantic.
These fish lack natural predators in Brazilian waters and prey on the young of commercially important species, potentially harming both the ecosystem and local economies that depend on fishing and tourism. Abrolhos is a rich marine environment, supporting over 90 coral species and 266 fish species, including endangered goliath grouper and blue parrotfish, as well as serving as a breeding ground for humpback whales.
Researchers at the Federal University of Southern Bahia are currently assessing the extent of the lionfish invasion and analyzing the stomach contents of captured fish to understand their impact. They are also investigating whether lionfish can be safely consumed by humans, despite the venomous spines along their back. While the fish’s presence has been confirmed, scientists have not yet determined the full scale of the problem or the best long-term solutions.
