Distinctive Specialty

Invasive Lionfish Tracker Course Instructor

Outline

Distinctive Specialty Course Instructor Outline

500DT (2/11)
(2/11) Version 1.0
Invasive Lionfish Tracker

Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
PADII would like to acknowledge:
PAD
Stephanie Wallwork, PADI IDC Staff Instructor and PADI Member since 2004,
for her role in the authorship of this Distinctive Specialty Course
Course Outline and her interest in
the non-native lionfish invasion that is growing in the North Western Atlantic and throughout
the Caribbean.

Mark Hixon, PhD, Helen Thompson Professor of Marine Conservation Biology

at Oregon State University, for his scientific expertise in reviewing this program.

© PADI 2011

The Knowledge Review and Knowledge Review Answer Key may be reproduced by PADI Members Members for use
in PADI-sanctioned training, but not for resale or personal gain. No other part of this publication may be
reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher
publisher..

Published by PADI
30151 Tomas
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688-2125 USA

Printed in USA

500DT (2/11) Version 1.0

 Invasive Lionfish Tracker Distinctive Specialty
Course

Introductionn
Introductio
The Lionfish invasion in the Northwestern Atlantic and the Caribbean has been stated in the
proceedings of the 61st Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute as representing one of the most
rapid finfish invasions in history
history..

How to Use this Guide

This guide speaks to you, the Invasive Lionfish Tracker
Tracker Distinctive Specialty Instructor. The guide
contains three sections – the first contains standards specific to this course, the second contains
knowledge development presentations and the third details the open water dives.
All required standards,
standards, learning objectives,
objectives, activities, and
and performance requirements
requirements specific to
the Invasive Lionfish Tracker
Tracker course appear in boldface print. The boldface assists you in easily
identifying those requirements that you must adhere to when you conduct the course. Items not
in boldface print are recommendations for your information and consideration. General course
standards applicable to all PADI courses are located in the General Standards and Procedures
section of your PADI Instructor Manual.

Course Philosophy and Goals

This specialty is an introduction to invasive Lionfish tracking, to familiarize divers with the skills,
knowledge, planning, organization, procedures, techniques, problems, hazards and enjoyment
e njoyment of
invasive Lionfish management diving. It’ It’ss intended to serve as a safe and supervised introduction
to invasive Lionfish tracking. Training should emphasize safety and fun.
The Invasive Lionfish Tracker
Tracker Distinctive Specialty Course allows PADI Instructors to educate
divers about invasive Lionfish, including the essential
e ssential Lionfish facts and their progressive invasion
of the North-western Atlantic and the Caribbean.
The course also explains why action is required now to endeavor to control the population and
describes the practical way to safely and humanely capture and euthanize these fish, along with
behavioral characteristics.

Course Flow Options

Participants begin the course by reading Chapters Four and Five of the A.W.A.R.E – Our World,
Our Water
Water manual (if available in a language they understand). Students also read and keep a
copy of the student handout (Appendix A) for this course. Learning continues with an Instructor
led knowledge development session. By then completing and reviewing the program’s Knowledge
Review and completing two dives, participants may earn the Invasive Lionfish Tracker
Tracker Distinctive
Specialty.
There are two open water dives to complete. You may rearrange skill sequences within each dive;
however,, the sequence of dives must stay intact. You may add more dives as necessary to meet
however
student divers’ needs. Organize your course to incorporate environment friendly techniques
throughout each dive, to accommodate student diver learning style, logistical needs, and your
sequencing preferences.

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Section One
Course Standards
This
PADIsection includes
Invasive theTracker
Lionfish course course.
standards, recommendations, and suggestions for conducting the

Standards at a Glance
Course Standards
Minimum Instructor Rating: PADI Invasive Lionfish Tracker Distincti
Distinctive
ve Specialty Instructor
Prerequisites: PADI Open Water Diver, or qualif
qualifying
ying prerequisi
prerequisite
te
Minimum Age: 15 years
Ratios: Open Water: 4:1
Depth: Maximum Depth:
- Open Water Diver: 18 metres/60 feet
- Advanced Open Water
Water Diver: 30 metres/100 feet
Hours: Recommended: 10
Minimum Open Water Dives: 2

Materials and Equipment

Instructor and Student Materials
• Invasive Lionfish Tracker Distinctive Specialty Instructor Outline (Instructor Only)
• A.W
A.W.A.R.E
.A.R.E – Our World,
World, Our Water
Water manual (free download
downlo ad from www.projecta
www.projectaware.org)
ware.org)
• Invasive Lionfish Tracker Participa
Participant
nt Handout (Appendix A)

• Invasive Lionfish Tracker Knowledge Review

• Logbook

Instructor and Student Equipment

• Student and instructor
instructor equipment as outlined in the PADI
PADI Instructor Manual, General
General
Standards and Procedures
• Two Underwate
Underwaterr hand nets
• Waterproof goody bag (to hold captured
captured fish)
• Pair of puncture proof protective
protective gloves
• “T
“Teaser”
easer” stick

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Instructor Equipment
• Euthanization equipment including:
- Ice box or other suitable storage container
- Ice

- Clove oil
- Rubbing alcohol
• Safety Equipment
- Hot water
- Any form of appropriate heat product available (ex. “Hot Hands” packages)
- First aid equipment, including tweezers

Instructor Prerequisites
To qualify to teach the Invasive Lionfish Tracker course, an individual must be a Teaching status
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor or higher. PADI Instructors may apply for the Invasive
Lionfish Tracker
Tracker Distinctive Specialty Instructor rating after completing a Specialty Instructor
Training course with a PADI Course Director, or by providing proof of experience and applying
directly to PADI. For further detail, reference Professional
Professional Membership section of your PADI
Instructor Manual.

Student Diver Prerequisites

By the start of the course, a diver must be:
1. Certified as a PADI Open Water
Water Diver or have a qualifying certification from another
training organization. In this case, a qualifying certification is defined as proof of entry-level
scuba certification with a minimum of four open water training dives. Verify
Verify student diver
prerequisite skills and provide remediation as necessary.
2. Be at least 15 years old.

Supervision and Ratios

Open Water Dives

A Teaching
Teaching status PADI
PADI Invasive Lionfish
Lionfish Tracker Distinctive
Distinctive Specialty Instructor
Instructor must be present
present
and in direct supervision of all activities and must ensure that all performance requirements are
met. After all student divers have successfully demonstrated the required skills, the Instructor may
exercise indirect supervision for the balance of the dive.
The ratio for confined and open water dives is four student divers per instructor (4:1), with a
certified assistant for every two additional students (2:1), up to a maximum of eight student
divers.

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Site, Depths, and Hours
Site
Choose sites with conditions and environments suitable for completing requirements. Shallow
dives will provide divers with more time to complete tasks. Use different open water dive sites, if
possible, to give
(incorporate students divers
environment experience
friendly in dealing
techniques with each
throughout a variety
dive)ofand
environmental conditions
logistical challenges.

Depths
• Open Water
Water Divers – 18 metres/60 feet maximum
• Advanced Open Water
Water Divers – 30 metres/100 feet maximum

Hours
The PADI Invasive Lionfish Tracker
Tracker course includes two open water dives. Conduct dives during
daylight hours between sunrise and sunset. The minimum number of recommended hours is 10.

Administrative Requirements
Requirements

Required
Continuing Education Administrative Document (10038)

Assessment Standards
The student diver must demonstrate accurate and adequate knowledge during the open water
dives and must perform all skills (procedures and motor skills) fluidly
fluidly,, with little difficulty
difficulty,, in a
manner that demonstrates minimal or no stress.

Certification Requirements and Procedures

By the completion of the course, student divers must complete all performance requirements for
Invasive Lionfish Tracker Open Water Dives One and Two. The instructor certifying the student
diver must ensure that all certification requirements have been met. The certifying instructor
submits a completed, signed PIC to the appropriate PADI Office to issue the student an Invasive
Lionfish Tracker specialty certification.

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Section Two
Knowledge Development
Conduct
Use the following teaching outline as a road map of the conduct, content, sequence and structure
for the course. The result should be student divers with theoretical
theoretical knowledge and pragmatic
experience who can adapt what they have learned to safely and humanely capture and euthanize
invasive Lionfish. Student divers will be able to explain the following learning objectives.

Knowledge Development
Development
Learning Objectives
By the end of knowledge development, student divers will be able to explain:
• The correct Family,
Family, Genus and Species names for Lionfish

• Their morphology and lifespan

• Their habitat preference and behavior
• Their reproduction and growth facts
• The hunting methods of Lionfish and identification of its prey
• Whether Lionfish are venomous
• Whether Lionfish are dangerous to humans
• Known Lionfish predators
• The various theories relating to Lionfish introduction
• The negative effects on native species resulting from Lionfish introduction
• The procedure for reporting Lionfish sightings
• The Lionfish Tissue Repository
• The correct capturing and euthanizing techniques

Knowledge Development Teaching Outline

A. Course Introduction
1. Staff and student diver introductions

Note:
Introduce yourself and assistants. Explain your background with non-native Lionfish diving if
your student divers aren’t familiar with you.
Give times, dates and locations as appropriate for classroom presentations, and open water
dives.

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2. Course goals –
a. To develop and increase
increase your knowledge
knowledge of invasive Lionfish facts
facts and useful
information.
b. To enable you to organize
organize and safely conduct
conduct no-decompression dives
to locate and humanely capture invasive Lionfish in depths up to 30
metres/100 feet.
c. To be able to humanely euthanize any invasive Lionfish capturedcaptured on dives.
d. To improve youryour diving skills and provide you with additional supervised
experience.
e. To encourage you you to participate
participate in other specialty training.
training.
3. Course overview
a. The topics
topics we
we will be covering
covering are:
1. Essential Lionfish facts
2. Means of Lionfish
Lionfish introduction
introduction
3. Effect of Lionfish introduction
4. Lionfish Reporting
5. Capturing techniques and practice withwith nets.
b. Open water dives. There will be two open water water dives.
4. Certification
a. Upon successfully
successfully completing the course, you
you will receive
receive the PADI
PADI Invasive
Lionfish Tracker Specialty certification.
b. Certification means that you will will be qualified to plan, organize
organize and make
make
dives in conditions generally comparable to, or better than those in which
you are trained.

Note:
Use the Continuing Education Administrative Document. Explain all course costs and materials,
and what the costs do and do not cover, including equipment use, dive site fees, etc. Explain
what equipment student divers must have for the course, and what you will provide. Cover and
review points about scheduling and attendance.

5. Class requirements
a. Complete paperwork.
b. Course costs.
c. Equipment needs.
d. Schedule and attendance.

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B. Course Content

• What are the correct Family

Family,, Genus and Species names for Lionfish?
1. Family name – Scorpaenidae – Scorpion fishes.
fishes.
2. Genus – Pterois

3. Species
a. volitans – Red Lionfish
b. miles – Devil Firefish
Also known
known as Turkeyfish and Zebrafish
Zebrafish (due to the
the distinct
distinct red
red and
and white
white
stripes).

• What is their morphology

morphology and lifespan?
1. The body is white or cream colored with
with red to reddish
reddish brown vertical
vertical stripes with
the stripes alternating from wide to very thin and sometimes even e ven merging along
the flank to form a V.
2. The Lionfish has elongated venomous dorsal and anal anal fin spines. There are 13
dorsal spines, 10 to 11 dorsal soft rays, 3 anal spines, 6 to 7 anal soft rays and 2
pelvic spines. The fin membranes are often spotted or have small holes.
3. In their natural
natural habitat they
they are commonly
commonly found to be between 320mm
– 350mm/12.6 -13.8 inches in size, but they have been found as big as
474mm/18.7 inches.
4. In recent research
research conducted byby REEF (see Appendix
Appendix A) of non-native Lionfish,
the average size found was 188mm/7.4 inches with the size range 25mm –
389mm/1 - 15.3 inches.
5. The largest Pterois volitans specimen collected
collected on the U.S. east coast,
coast, caught via
hook and line off North Carolina in 2004, was over 430 mm/16.9 inches long
and weighed approximately 1.1 kg/2.4 pounds.
6. The lifespan in the wild is up to 15 years, but as yet the lifespan
lifespan in non-native
waters has not been determined.
determined.

• What is their habitat

habitat preference and behavior?
1. Lionfish exhibit high site fidelity
fidelity,, i.e. they do not move much, and
and they are

commonly seen in a nearly motionless posture with the head tilted slightly down.
2. Lionfish have been sighted in a wide variety of habitat types
types including; artificial
artificial
sites, canals, harbors, estuaries, mangroves and shallow and deep reefs. From
observations they appear to be at home and fully adapted to all these differing
habitats.
3. Lionfish have been observed in water as cold as 13°C/56°F off the the southern coast
of Long Island, New York and as warm as 27°C/81°F in areas such as Turks and
Caicos Islands, showing a tolerance to a wide range of temperatures.
4. It has been revealed
revealed that Lionfish stop feeding at temperatures
temperatures of 16°C/61°F and
below and that the average lethal low temperature is 10°C/50°F
10°C/50°F..
5. Lionfish are now being found in a large depth
depth range from 0.6 metres/2 feet to 175
metres/574 feet, well beyond recreational dive depth limits.

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• What are their reproduction and growth facts?
1. As juveniles Lionfish live
live in small groups, but
but as adults they typically
typically occur alone
alone
with individuals being relatively inactive during
during the day,
day, typically sheltering
sheltering in reef
crevices.
2. Lionfish are reaching
reaching sexual maturity and reproducing
reproducing as young as one
one to two
years old andyear
reproducing dataround
collected to date (REEF)
in Bahamian suggests
and other that the
Caribbean Lionfish appear to be
waters.
3. As stated, Lionfish are generally solitary fish
fish but during
during courtship males will
aggregate with multiple females to form groups of three to eight fish, with the
males using their spines and fins in an aggressive visual display.
display.
4. Following complex courting and mating behaviors,
behaviors, the females release a pair
of mucus coated clusters of eggs approximately every 30 days, which are then
fertilized by the males. On average, these clusters contain between 2,000 and
15,000 eggs, although this number can be as high as 30,000 eggs.
5. The eggs are then freed
freed by environmental micro bacteria, which
which break down the
egg mass.
6. The larvae hatch after approximately
approximately four days and become competent
competent swimmers
two to three days after that. At this stage in their development Lionfish are already
able to capture and consume ciliates and other small zooplankton.
7. The larvae metamorphose
metamorphose into adults at approximately
approximately 10-12 mm/0.4 – 0.5
inches in size, which is in the range of 20-40 days. The time period it takes
Lionfish to reach their adult stage is long enough for eggs released in the
Caribbean, i.e. Cuba, Jamaica or the Cayman Islands to disperse into the Gulf of
Mexico.

• What are the hunting methods of the Lionfish and what is the prey?prey?
1. Given the tendency of the Lionfish to retreat
retreat to areas of hiding by day,
day, this species
was thought to be mostly nocturnal. However
However,, recent studies have now shown
that Lionfish have been observed feeding during the day day..
2. Hunting behaviour includes the Lionfish hiding
hiding in unexposed
unexposed places during
during the
day,, with its head down practically immobile, to stalking and cornering its prey
day
by use of the outstretched and expanded pectoral fins when in full ambush mode.
Lionfish prey is ultimately obtained with a lightning-quick snap of the jaws and
swallowed whole.
3. The Lionfish isis an undiscerning
undiscerning predator of small fish, shrimps, crabs and
similarly sized animals and research has shown that of analyzed stomach contents,
70% was comprised of fish and 30% were crustaceans. Cannibalism has also been
observed for this species in the wild as well as in captivity.
captivity.
5. The most abundantly
abundantly found prey in the
the Lionfish stomachs
stomachs included basslets,
basslets,
shrimp and gobies and other cleaner fish. Other stomach contents included whole
crabs, whole sand divers, jawfish with the eggs still in its mouth, and even juvenile
groupers.
6. When consuming a large meal the the Lionfish is capable of expanding
expanding its stomach
stomach
over 30 times in volume, it is also capable of long term fasting and can go without
food for periods of over 12 weeks without dying.

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7. In its native range

range the Lionfish consumes 2.5% - 6% of its body weight per day
day..

• Are Lionfish venomous?

1. Scorpion fishes get their common
common name from their ability to
to defend themselves
with a venomous “sting”
“sting” or stab.
stab.

2. Thirteen
venomous, ofwith
the long dorsal spines,
the venom spines,produced
being two pelvicbyand threelocated
glands of the in
anal spineson
spines
grooves arethe
spines covered with skin.
3. Lionfish have venomous spines fromfrom birth and these spines areare used by the
Lionfish both to capture their prey and deter predators.

• Are Lionfish dangerous to humans?

1. The Lionfish can be aggressive
aggressive and has been known to engage potential
potential threats by
moving towards them with a spines forward approach. However
However,, observations in
the field show that Lionfish will avoid confrontation with humans underwater
underwater,, i.e.
divers, wherever possible. However,
However, this species should be treated with care at all
times.
2. Worldwide, scorpion fishes rank second only to stingrays in total number of
envenomations, with an estimated occurrence of approximately 40,000 - 50,000

3. cases annually. nature

The venomous nature of Lionfish
Lionfish can be substantial and a sting from the Lionfish
can be serious. The severity of sting reactions in humans is dependant upon a
number of factors which include the location of the sting, the amount of venom
delivered and the strength of the immune system of the victim.
4. It should be noted that there is a higher chance of envenomation from the smaller
sized Lionfish as the spine tip is smaller and sharper and the glandular venom
tissue is closer to the tip of the spine.
5. Localized symptoms
symptoms of envenomation by the Lionfish
Lionfish are the most common and and
include but are not limited to:
a. Persistent, intense throbbing; radiating, sharp pain at the site of envenomation;
b. Tingling sensations
c. Sweating
d. Blistering
6. The worst cases of envenomation may cause the following;
a. Headache
b. Nausea
c. Vomiting
d. Abdominal pain
e. Delirium
f. Seizures
g. Paralysis of limbs
h. A rise or drop
drop in blood pressure
pressure
i. Respiratory distress
j. Heart complications including congestive heart failure
k. Pulmonary edema

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l. Tremors
m. Muscle weakness
n. Loss of consciousness
7. Basic treatment
treatment for Lionfish envenomations
envenomations includes immersing the afflicted
area in hot water (38 to 43° C/100 to 110° F) for 15 – 20 minutes as this helps
inactivate the venom. It is important not to burn the skin. Where hot water is not
available other products such as “Hot Hands” heating pads can be used.
8. Professional medical attention should be sought in any case
case of Lionfish
envenomation.
9. Calls can be made to the Aquatic Toxins Hotline at Florida
Florida Poison Information
Information
Center in Miami, Florida where medical experts will provide immediate advice.
This hotline is available 24/7 and the number is (outside the US 011, not toll
free) 888-232-8635.
10. The anti-venom of the related stonefish (synancela ssp.) is also highly effective in
neutralizing Lionfish venom activity.

• Name three known Lionfish predators

1. Published records
records of natural predators of adult Lionfish are unknown
unknown but studies
indicate that the Cornet fish, Fistularia commersoni, appears to be a predator.
2. It is concluded
concluded that the Cornet fish in the Red Sea Sea may utilize their ambush
ambush
tactics to seize Lionfish
Lionfish safely from the rear,
rear, consuming them tail first.
first. As Cornet
fish are widespread and effective piscavores, they may turn out to be predators
wherever Lionfish are are found.
3. Larger Lionfish are known to consume smaller
smaller members of their species.
4. A few Lionfish have been found in the stomachs
stomachs of native Groupers in the
Bahamas and in the Cayman Islands.
Islands. Lionfish are now being fed to Groupers
Groupers in
the hope that these fish will become part of their diet.
5. Other as yet
yet undocumented predators of the Lionfish might
might include sharks,
sharks, as
many sharks are known to consume noxious or venomous organisms with no
obvious ill effects.
6. Encouraging observations
observations from the field indicate that both Nassau
Nassau Groupers
Groupers
and Caribbean Reef Sharks show a high level of interest when Lionfish are being

captured.

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Means of Lionfish introduction.

• What are
are the various theories relating to Lionfish
Lionfish introduction?
introduction?
1. There are various theories as to how Lionfish were introduced
introduced into non-native
non-native
waters. One popular
popular school of thought believed that ballast water of large
large ocean
going vessels was responsible for the Lionfish having been transported from their
natural waters.
2. Another school of thought, which is the most popular,
popular, argued that the species
may owe its presence in non-native waters to the deliberate or accidental release of
captive specimens and, as the Lionfish increased in popularity as an aquarium fish
this is not an unreasonable assumption.
This argument is supported by a paper published in 1995 (Courtenay Jr 1995)
which indicated that there was an accidental
accidental release of six individual
individual Lionfish in
1992 as a result of the Hurricane Andrew-related
Andrew-related destruction of a large private
aquarium located on a porch at the edge of Biscayne Bay,Bay, Florida. These fish were
observed alive in the adjacent habitat several days later
later..
The above initial conclusion has recently been amended and as a result of further
further
research, it is now believed that there were at least 11 females involved in the
original foundling population released from the aquarium in question.

3. Lionfish have been documented

documented off Palm Beach,
Beach, Boca Raton, and Miami, Florida
Florida
beginning in 1992.
4. In 2001 a single adult individual
individual was captured
captured off Georgia and two juveniles
juveniles
off Long Island, New York.
York. Since then, there have been further collections and
observations of live Lionfish occurring in natural habitats off Florida, Georgia, the
Carolinas, New Jersey, and New York.
5. In April 2001, a Lionfish
Lionfish was confiscated
confiscated from anan Agricultural Exhibition in
Bermuda and in October 2001, divers provided photo documentation of another
Lionfish off the south shore of Bermuda. Since 2001, Lionfish have been sighted
at numerous locations around Bermuda.
6. In 2004, a Lionfish
Lionfish was seen in an area
area east of New Providence
Providence Island
Island in the
Bahamas. In 2005, the species was reported from 16 different locations in the
Bahamas around Andros Island, Eleuthera Island, Great Abaco Island, Little
San Salvador and New Providence
Providence Island. Since 2005, Lionfish have spread
throughout the Bahamian Islands.
7. In the second half of 2007, Lionfish spread to Cuba
Cuba and the Turks
Turks and Caicos. In
In
May 2008 a Lionfish was photographed in the National Submarine Park of Monte
Cristi in the Dominican Republic. In early 2008, a juvenile Lionfish was caught
in a marine park off Little Cayman in the Cayman Islands and there have been
several reports of sightings in Jamaica.
8. In June 2008, both juvenile and adult Lionfish werewere photographed on two
two dive
sites on the north coast of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and in July 2008 a
Lionfish was photographed in Haiti.
Haiti. The first confirmed report of Lionfish
Lionfish in
Puerto Rico was received in November, 2008. In December 2008, a Lionfish was
photographed on a reef in Belize and another near Sea Manta City just south
of Isla de Provi
Providencia
dencia in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, an atoll belonging to
Colombia.

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9. In January 2009 a specimen was photographed
photographed off the island of
of Cozumel, Mexico
at Palancar Gardens
Gardens Reef. And a Lionfish was collected on a reef just off Key
Largo, Florida and a second specimen was collected in March; these are the first
documented Lionfish in the Florida Keys.
10. In May 2009 Lionfish were spotted in Panama and Honduras and in September

2009 the first

of Lionfish onreported sighting
the Pachareta in Aruba
Reef, was
north of themade. By December
Yucatan 2009made.
Peninsula were
Peninsula sightings
Regardless of the actual method of introduction, it is clear that the Lionfish is now
established along the East Coast of the United States, the British West
West Indies and a large
portion of the Caribbean, as evidenced by its distribution and the presence of juveniles.
It has also been indicated that, based upon how quickly the Lionfish established itself
along the East Coast of the US and the Bahamas, it is highly likely that within a few years
or less the Lionfish will have established itself along the southern edges of Central America
(Nicaragua and Costa Rica), the Yucatan Peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico.

Effects of Lionfish introduction

• What are the negative effects on native species resulting from Lionfish
Lionfish introduction?
1. The first assessment of Lionfish
Lionfish densities was carried
carried out in 2004 over 17 locations
locations

off the coast

Lionfish of Northwas
per hectare Carolina.
21. ThisItaverage
was determined
continuesthat the average number of
to rise.
2. Recent assessments off New
New Providence,
Providence, Bahamas showshow that the Lionfish densities
densities
are more than 18 times higher than the 2004 North Carolina estimates. This is
more than eight times higher than estimates carried out in the natural range of the
Lionfish.
3. Research provides
provides the first
first evidence of negative effects of Lionfish on native
native
Atlantic coral-reef fishes.
fishes. The accumulation of new juvenile
juvenile coral-reef fishes
via the settlement of larvae,
lar vae, known as recruitment, was studied in the Bahamas
during the 2007 recruitment period (July-Au
( July-August)
gust) on small patch of reefs. The
study was conducted on reefs with and without a single Lionfish.
4. Over the five week period,
period, net recruitment
recruitment was reduced by by 79% on reefs with
with
Lionfish compared to reefs without Lionfish, with the reduction almost certainly
due to predation by Lionfish.
5. The concern is that the Lionfish
Lionfish are not only depleting commercial
commercial fisheries but
also destroying herbivorous species that are important in keeping coral reefs clean
and free of seaweed.
6. It has been
been hypothesized that the Lionfish
Lionfish will continue to expand along
the Eastern coast of South America until it cannot tolerate the low water
temperatures. “Lionfish are eating their way through the reefs like a plague of
locusts,” said Dr. Hixon (a marine ecology expert at Oregon State University).
“This may well become the most devastating marine invasion in history.”

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Lionfish Reporting

• What are the procedures for reporting

reporting Lionfish sightings?
1. Lionfish sightings should be reported
reported to the United States Geological Service
Non-indigenous Aquatic Species (USGS NAS) website:
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/taxgroup
http://nas.er .usgs.gov/taxgroup/fish/lionfishdistribution.a
/fish/lionfishdistribution.asp sp..
2. When information is reported, it should include as much detail as possible,
including exact location (such as GPS information), behavior information,
habitat, images, etc.
3. To learn more the USGS website
website is the focal point for information regarding
regarding
Lionfish sightings and population control efforts in the Atlantic and the
Caribbean. In addition, USGS has developed mapping tools tools and maintains an
early warning system to alert users about non-native species sightings in new
areas. (http://nas.er.usgs.gov/AlertSystem/about
(http://nas.er.usgs.gov/AlertSystem/about.asp
.asp ) It also provides additional
info on the status of the invasion http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/Fact
http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.
Sheet.
asp?speciesID=963 and links to other resources.
4. Some areas restrict
restrict Lionfish collection to trained volunteers, i.e. Bonaire.
Bonaire. Please be
sure to check local regulations before collecting Lionfish.

• What is the Lionfish Tissue Repository?

1. Tissue samples should be forwarded to to the Lionfish Tissue
Tissue Repository (LTR)
(LTR) –
http://lionfish-invasion.blogspot.com/
http://lionfish-invasion. blogspot.com/ – a project jointly managed by NOAA
(Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research) and the Reef Environmental
Education Foundation (REEF).
2. Dr. James Morris (James.Morri
([email protected]
[email protected])
ov) coordinates the LTR, and is the point
of contact for inquires and contributions.
3. According to Dr.
Dr. Morris,
Morris, “The LTR
LTR is a large, multi-national collaborative
collaborative
effort intended to maintain tissue samples for research into the ecological and
evolutionary processes driving the ongoing invasion of Lionfish (Pterois spp.) in
the Caribbean and western Atlantic.”
4. In order to improve the value
value of the LTR,
LTR, broad spatial
spatial and temporal coverage
coverage
of Lionfish tissue samples throughout the invaded range is needed. If you
have Lionfish tissue samples, or can get them, you may be able to contribute
substantially
have access totosamples
this critical
from research effort;
regions not this is represented
currently particularly in
true
theifLTR.
you To
contribute to the LTR, or to keep abreast of the latest news and research, please
visit the LTR blog (http://lionfish-invasion
(http://lionfish-invasion.blogspot.com/).
.blogspot.com/).

Invasive Lionfish Tracker 13

Distinctive Specialty
Course Invasive Lionfish Tracker
Capturing techniques.

• What are the correct capturing

capturing and euthanizing techniques?
techniques? (Practice with nets)
1. In an attempt
attempt to manage the Lionfish population,
population, various
various countries have devised
action plans.

a. In the Bahamas
Bahamas
Education a Lionfish
Lionfi
seminars, sh kill
adopt order
a reef andwas issuedbyto
removal tospear
fishermen in 2007.nets in
fishing/hand
tourist hotspots is carried out.
b. In Bermuda a Lionfish culling program was initiated in 2008 that included
a training program, collecting license and a special dive flag allowing
commercial and recreational fishers to spear Lionfish along near-shore reefs.
c. In the Turks and Caicos
Caicos Islands, the DECR
DECR (Department of Environment
Environment
and Coastal Resources) have training programs, issued collecting licenses
and a special dive flag allowing commercial fishers to spear and dive centres
to capture Lionfish with nets.
d. In October 2009 the DECR started a campaign
campaign to encourage
encourage local
restaurants to put Lionfish on their menu and a Lionfish tournament lasting
a year started in October 2009 with first prize being $3,000. There is also a
Lionfish Derby day in the summer.

[Insert local information here]

e. Also NOAA
NOAA (National
(National Oceanic & Atmospheric
Atmospheric Administration)
Administration) researchers
researchers
have developed techniques to trap Lionfish from deeper waters and larger
areas that are impractical for removal by divers.
f. An early detection and rapid response
response program
program has also been developed
developed by
a collaborative effort by NOAA, REEF (Reef Environmental Education
Foundation) and USGS (United States Geological Survey) in South Florida.
2. Overview of Correct
Correct Capturing
Capturing Techniques
a. The aim is to corner thethe fish with nets, Lad Atkins
Atkins of REEF states,”…
then grab itthat
procedure by its bonythe
causes head
leastand place it
amount of carefully
distress tointhe
a water-filled bag, a
marine animal.”
b. It is important that when attempting to capture Lionfish Lionfish that the netter is
both patient and has clear communication with the dive buddy(s). These are
some of the most important skills required.
3. Overview of Correct Euthanization techniques
a. Once on the the surface, the fish are placed
placed into a container and euthanized
using a mixture of clove oil and alcohol. This mixture is basically a narcotic
that euthanizes the fish in a humane way way,, causing as little distress as possible.
b. If the fish are to be eaten then placing
placing them in a chest full of ice has the
effect of sending them to sleep
sle ep and then ultimately death while not tainting
the taste of the fish itself. Lionfish are very tasty and the cooking process
denatures the spine venom. When handling Lionfish be very careful to
avoid contact with the spines.

14 PADI Distinctive Specialty

 Invasive Lionfish Tracker Distinctive Specialty
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4. Detailed
Detaile d Procedures – Capturing Techniqu
echniques.
es.
a. Once a Lionfish
Lionfish is located the first step
step is to assess the area and determine
the possible escape routes for the fish.
b. Working in teams of at least two, one diver
diver has two underwater netsnets which
are held arms length apart as they approach the Lionfish. One net should
be placed behind the fish while the net in front of the fish should be used as
the “decoy
“decoy.”
.”
c. One of the prime purposes of the decoy net is to persuade the Lionfish it
does not want to come towards the net, thus encouraging it to turn and flee
in the opposite direction, into the net placed at the rear
rear..
d. The buddy diver may carry a teaser stick which is gently waved from side to
side to help deter a Lionfish from taking an alternative escape route.
e. Once the Lionfish
Lionfish has swum into a net the two nets should rapidly be
brought together, thereby preventing the Lionfish from escaping.
f. The Lionfish must then be grabbed by its bony head, between the eyes
and the gills, in a firm grip by a diver wearing a protective puncture-proof
puncture-proof
glove. No attempt should be made to grab a Lionfish without a protective
puncture-proof
puncture-pr oof glove.
g. Once grabbed, the net is inverted so that the Lionfish is now sticking out of
the net except for the head portion, which is being held.
h. The dive buddy
buddy opens the bag fully to allow water to enter and then the
Lionfish is to be placed into the bag tail first. Once the Lionfish is a safe
distance inside the bag the fish is released and the bag is sealed.
i. If this is not the first
first Lionfish to be captured and placed in the bag it is
helpful for the dive buddy to place the bag on a surface (without damaging
or injuring the marine life) and use their teaser stick to split the bag in two
sections, while carefully avoiding any venomous spines.
j. This technique should be practiced on dry land before attempting this this
procedure underwater.
5. Detaile
Detailedd Procedures – Euthaniza
Euthanization
tion Technique
echniquess
a. Euthanization should be carried
carried out as soon as possible
possible to prevent
prevent any
unnecessary distress to the Lionfish. The correct procedure is to make
up a 50ml/1.7 fluid ounces mixture which is 1 part Clove Oil Oil (5ml/0.2
fluid ounces clove oil) to 10 parts rubbing alcohol (45ml/1.5 fluid ounces
alcohol). This mixture can then be diluted in approximately 11-15 litres/3-4
gallons of seawater and then the Lionfish are placed in this mixture. It
is important this mixture is disposed of carefully once the Lionfish are
euthanized.

Note
Proper disposal is extremely important. In some areas, gray water is not treated and and is piped
directly into storm drains, fresh water or the ocean. It is your responsibility as an Invasive
Lionfish Tracker
Tracker specialist to ensure disposal that does not adversely impact the environment.
Improper disposal could lead to indiscriminate euthanization of the very fish, reef and creatures
that we are trying to protect from predation by Lionfish.

Invasive Lionfish Tracker 15

Distinctive Specialty
Course Invasive Lionfish Tracker
b. Lionfish typically expire within 30-45 seconds, but it is best to leave them
in the solution until all apparent movement has ceased, i.e. for at least 10
minutes.
c. As the spines remain venomous up to 8 hours post death it is important to
dispose of the Lionfish bodies with care to avoid accidental envenomation.

d. Where theleft
of ice and Lionfi
Lionfishsh all
until areapparent
to be consumed theyhas
they
movement should
ceasedbei.e.
placed
for atinleast
a chest
10
minutes.

Note
Colder fish – those on ice will have viable venom for longer than warmer fish.

e. Should an envenomation occur

occur the affected area should be immediately
soaked in hot water (as hot as possible) to help
hel p the toxin break down and
medical evaluation should be sought.

16 PADI Distinctive Specialty

 Invasive Lionfish Tracker Distinctive Specialty
Course

Section Three
Open Water Dives
General Open Water Considerations
1. Involve student divers in dive-planning activities. Give special attention to student diver
anxiety and stress levels, in addition to student diver equipment preparedness.
2. Conduct a thorough briefing. The better the briefing, the more smoothly the dive will
proceed. Assign buddy teams and establish a check-in/check-out procedure.
3. Assign logistical duties to staff and review emergency protocols.
4. Remind divers to familiarize themselves with their buddy’s equipment.
5. Evaluate diver’s
diver’s thermal protection for appropriateness for the dive site and expected
conditions.
6. Make yourself available to answer questions during equipment assembly, buddy predive safety
checks and gear-up.

Performance Requirements
By the end of the open water dives, student divers will be able to:
• Identify the type
type of capture equipment
equipment needed for the dive.
• Carry the necessary
necessary capture equipment without impeding the dive.
dive.
• Successfully capture
capture a Lionfish without
without incident or injury
injury..
• Successfully transfer a Lionfish
Lionfish to a collection bag without incident or injury.
injury.
• Successfully transport
transport a Lionfish to the surface following a dive.
dive.
• Successfully euthanize any captured
captured Lionfish without incident
incident or injury.
injury.

Dive One
• Buoyancy check
• Each buddy pair or team adheres to
to the dive plan, maximum
maximum limits and time.
• Assist in carrying the
the necessary equipment on the
the dive including nets, bag, gloves and ”teaser”
stick, without impeding the dive.
• Each buddy pair or team to carry out underwater exploration, while searching for Lionfish.
Lionfish.
When a Lionfish is spotted,
spotted, the appropriate
appropriate signal is to be
be given to the other team members.
• Observe the Lionfish capture by the
the instructor,
instructor, including the use of the various techniques
practiced.
• Once a Lionfish is captured, assist
assist in the transfer to the collection bag.
A. Briefing
1. Evaluation of conditions
conditions
2. Facilities at dive site

Invasive Lionfish Tracker 17

Distinctive Specialty
Course Invasive Lionfish Tracker
3. Entry technique to be used
used – location dependent
4. Exit technique to be used
used – location dependent
5. Bottom composition and and topography around
around training site
6. Depth range on bottom,
bottom, planned depth and maximum depth
7. Ending tank pressure
pressure – when to terminate
terminate the dive
8. Interesting and helpful facts about the dive
dive site
9. Sequence of training dive
dive – review Dive One tasks
a. Suiting up
b. Predive safety check
c. Buoyancy check at the surface
d. Observe dive plan, maximum
maximum limits and time
e. Carry assigned Lionfish capturing equipment
f. Search for Lionfish
g. Observe techniques
techniques of Lionfish capture
capture by instructor
instructor
h. Assist with transfer of Lionfish to collection bag
i. Transport any captured Lionfish to the surface
j. Tour for fun and pleasure
pleasure
k. Ascent
B. Predive procedu
procedures
res
1. Prepar
Preparee personal diving equipment and Lionfish capturing
capturing equipment.
C. Descent
D. Dive One tasks
E. Ascent
F. Post-dive procedu
procedures
res (euth
(euthanize
anize any capture
capturedd Lionfish
Lionfish))
G. Debriefing
H. Log dive (instructor signs
signs logbook)

18 PADI Distinctive Specialty

 Invasive Lionfish Tracker Distinctive Specialty
Course

Dive Two
• Buoyancy check
• Each buddy pair or team adheres to
to the dive plan, maximum
maximum limits and time.
• Assist in carrying the
the necessary equipment on the
the dive including nets, bag, gloves and ”teaser”
stick without impeding the dive.
• Each buddy pair or team to carry out underwater exploration, while searching for Lionfish.
Lionfish.
When a Lionfish is spotted,
spotted, the appropriate
appropriate signal is to be
be given to the other team members.
• Assist with the Lionfish
Lionfish capture, including
including the use of the various
various techniques practiced.
practiced.
• Once a Lionfish is captured, assist
assist in the transfer to the collection bag.
• Bring captured
captured Lionfish to the surface at the end of the dive.
A. Briefing
1. Evaluation of conditions
conditions
2. Facilities at dive site
3. Entry technique to be used – location dependent
4. Exit technique to be used – location dependent
5. Bottom composition and and topography around
around training site
6. Depth range on bottom,
bottom, planned depth andand maximum depth
7. Ending tank pressure
pressure – when to terminate
terminate the dive
8. Interesting and helpful
helpful facts about the dive site
9. Sequence of training dive – review Dive TwoTwo tasks
a. Suiting up
b. Predive safety check
c. Buoyancy check at the surface
d. Observe dive plan, maximum limits and time
e. Carry assigned Lionfish capturing equipment
f. Search for Lionfish
g. Assist with Lionfish capture
h. Assist with transfer of Lionfish to collection bag
i. Transport any captured
captured Lionfish to the surface
j. Tour for fun and pleasure
pleasure
k. Ascent
B. Prediv
Predivee procedures
C. Descent
D. Dive Two tasks
E. Ascent
F. Post-dive procedu
procedures
res (eutha
(euthanize
nize any captured Lionfish
Lionfish))
G. Debriefing
H. Log dive
dive (instructor signs logbook)

Invasive Lionfish Tracker 19

Distinctive Specialty
Course Invasive Lionfish Tracker

Knowledge
Knowledge Review – Invasive Lionfish Tracker
Tracker
Answer the following questions.
questions. Your
Your instructor will
will review your answers
answers with you.

1. What family,
family, genus and two
two species do Lionfish
Lionfish come from?

2. In what type of habitats are

are Lionfish being found?
 a. Shallow and deep reefs.  b. Mangroves.
 c. Wrecks and other artificial sites.
sites.  d. All of the above.

3. On average, how many eggs

eggs are released
released per egg sac?
 a. 20 – 150
150 eggs
eggs  b. 200 – 1,500 eggs
 c. 2,000 – 15,000
15,000 eggs.  d. 20,000 – 150,000 eggs.

4. What are the known prey of Lionfish? (Choose all

all that apply)
apply)
 a. Fairy Basslets  b. Turtles
 c. Shrimps  d. Garden Eels
 e. Crabs  f. Sand divers
 g. Jawfish  h. Reef sharks

5. True or False. The spines of a Lionfish

Lionfish do not become venomous
venomous until the fish
fish reaches
sexual maturity.
T
Tru
ruee
 False

6. Which and how

how many of the Lionfish spines are venomous?
 a. 13 dorsal, 3 pelvic and 2 anal.
 b. 11 dorsal, 2 pelvic and 3 anal.
 c. 13 dorsal, 2 pelvic and 3 anal
 d. 11 dorsal, 3 pelvic and 2 anal.

7. True or False.
False. Lionfish are cannibalistic.
cannibalistic.
TTru
ruee
 False

20 PADI Distinctive Specialty

 Invasive Lionfish Tracker Distinctive Specialty
Course

8. What are some of the symptoms of envenomation? (Choose all that apply)
apply)
 a. Headache  b. Cherry red
red lips
 c. Tingling sensations  d. Delirium

9. How is it thought that Lionfish may

may have been introduced into non-native
non-native waters?
(Choose all that apply)
 a. The destruction of an aquarium in hurricane
hurricane Arthur.
Arthur.
 b. Ballast water of large ocean going vessels.
 c. The destruction of an aquarium in hurricane
hurricane Andrew.
Andrew.
 d. Natural evolution.

10. In what year was the first Lionfish spotted in Bahamian waters?

11. What is the correct balance of the euthanization mixture?

 a. 1 part clove
clove oil to 10
10 parts rubbing alcohol.
 b. 10 parts clove
clove oil to 4 parts rubbing alcohol.
 c. 15 parts clove
clove oil to 3 parts rubbing alcohol.
 d. 11 parts clove
clove oil to 1 part rubbing alcohol.
 f. 5 parts clove oil to 6 parts rubbing alcohol.

Invasive Lionfish Tracker 21

Distinctive Specialty
Course Invasive Lionfish Tracker

Knowledge
Knowledge Review – Invasive Lionfish Tracker
Tracker
ANSWER KEY

1. What family,
family, genus and two
two species do Lionfish
Lionfish come from?
Family: Scorpaenidae – Scorpionfishes
Genus: Pterois
Species (2): volitans – Red Lionfish and miles – Devil Firefish

2. In what type of habitats are

are Lionfish being found?
 a. Shallow and deep reefs.  b. Mangroves.
 c. Wrecks and other artificial sites.
sites.  d. All of the above.

3. On average, how many eggs

eggs are released
released per egg sac?

 a. 20 – 150
150 eggs
eggs  b. 200 – 1,500 eggs
 c. 2,000 – 15,000
15,000 eggs.  d. 20,000 – 150,000 eggs.

4. What are the known prey of Lionfish? (Choose all

all that apply)
apply)
 a. Fairy Basslets  b. Turtles
 c. Shrimps  d. Garden Eels
 e. Crabs  f. Sand divers
 g. Jawfish  h. Reef sharks

5. True or False. The spines of a Lionfish

Lionfish do not become venomous
venomous until the fish
fish reaches
sexual maturity.
T
Tru
ruee
 False

6. Which and how

how many of the Lionfish spines are venomous?
 a. 13 dorsal, 3 pelvic and 2 anal.
 b. 11 dorsal, 2 pelvic and 3 anal.
 c. 13 dorsal, 2 pelvic and 3 anal
 d. 11 dorsal, 3 pelvic and 2 anal.

7. True or False.
False. Lionfish are cannibalistic.
cannibalistic.
TTru
ruee
 False

22 PADI Distinctive Specialty

 Invasive Lionfish Tracker Distinctive Specialty
Course

8. What are some of the symptoms of envenomation? (Choose all that apply)
apply)
 a. Headache  b. Cherry red
red lips
 c. Tingling sensations  d. Delirium

9. How is it thought that Lionfish may

may have been introduced into non-native
non-native waters?
(Choose all that apply)
 a. The destruction of an aquarium in hurricane
hurricane Arthur.
Arthur.
 b. Ballast water of large ocean going vessels.
 c. The destruction of an aquarium in hurricane
hurricane Andrew.
Andrew.
 d. Natural evolution.

10. In what year was the first Lionfish spotted in Bahamian waters?
2004

11. What is the correct balance of the euthanization mixture?

 a. 1 part clove
clove oil to 10
10 parts rubbing alcohol.
 b. 10 parts clove
clove oil to 4 parts rubbing alcohol.
 c. 15 parts clove
clove oil to 3 parts rubbing alcohol.
 d. 11 parts clove
clove oil to 1 part rubbing alcohol.
 f. 5 parts clove oil to 6 parts rubbing alcohol.

Invasive Lionfish Tracker 23

Distinctive Specialty
Course Invasive Lionfish Tracker

Appendix A
Published on Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) (http://www.reef.org)
(http://www.reef.org)

About REEF
Protecting Marine Life Through Education, Service, and Research
REEF was founded in 1990, out of growing concern about the health of
the marine environment, and the desire to provide the SCUBA diving
community a way to contribute to the understanding and protection
of marine populations. REEF achieves this goal primarily through its volunteer fish monitoring
program, the REEF Fish Survey Project. Participants
Participants in the Project not only learn about the
environment they are diving in, but they also produce valuable information. Scientists, marine park
staff, and the general public use the data that are collected by REEF volunteers.

REEF Details
Since 1994, REEF has maintained an on-line educational section on non-native species as well as an

on-line Exotic
species via this Species
sightingsReporting
reportingpage.
form.Divers are encouraged
Beginning in Januaryto
ofsubmit any sightings
2007, REEF of non-native
has partnered with
local dive operators to help document Lionfish sightings and collect Lionfish samples for NOAA
and Bahamian researchers from five Bahamian projects. This information is being used to help
determine the range and extent of the Lionfish invasion, as well as to address key questions on age/
growth, reproduction, genetics, parasites and habitat preference.
As of August
August 2007, over 400 fish
fish have
have been collect
collected
ed and shippe
shipped
d to the NOAA
NOAA research
research in Beafort
Beafort
NC and more than 500 sightings have been documented in the Bahamas. Data on length, plumage
and stomach contents have been gathered in the field, and samples for genetics and age/growth
studies have been shipped to researchers. REEF has worked in close partnership with the Collage of
the Bahamas, researchers at UNCW and Salisbury University and local dive operators in gathering
and analyzing the data.
To aid in this effort, REEF is enlisting interested divers and snorkelers to join in on organized
Lionfish projects. These projects are led by REEF staff, national aquarium staff, and/or scientific
researchers and include educational lectures on current Lionfish research as well as daily diving
opportunities.

How can you help?

• If you are conducting
conducting a REEF survey and encounter a Lionfish (or any non-native species),
please report the species as a write in species on the back of the REEF scan sheet. Whenever
possible, please include an extra sheet of paper with extended details about habitat the fish was
in, behaviors noted, other species it was hanging out with, and approximate size. Also indicate
if you have photo/video of the fish. Please also report your sighting through our exotic species
online reporting form.
• If you see a Lionfish when you are not surveying, please use our Exotic Species
Species Sighting Form to
submit your information.
For more information go to http://www
http://www.reef.org/programs/exotic/Lionfish
.reef.org/programs/exotic/Lionfish How can you help?

24 PADI Distinctive Specialty