According to research, lionfish are natives of the Pacific Ocean. However, they have now established homes on some parts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Southeast coast of the United States Caribbean. Many will ask how the lionfish got to the Atlantic Ocean. Well, the actual cause is not recorded. Probably it’s because human beings played a major role in their invasion.
Researchers note that homeowners have been dumping home bred unwanted lionfish into the Atlantic Ocean. Experts highlight that several homeowners have bred these fish in aquariums for over 25years.
Now, when lions are dumped into the Atlantic Ocean, they become toxic to the entire food chain. The reason behind this downside is because they are not native to the waters and have minimal predators. Lionfish are carnivorous and feed on fish and small crustaceans. They also feed on all essential commercial species like the grouper and the snapper.
According to NOAA, lionfish hunting should be activated because they are invading at an alarming rate. This means that their population will continue to balloon and won’t be able to be eliminated through the use of conventional methods. It’s almost impossible to eradicate marine invaders once they are established.
Researchers are yet to establish how lionfish will affect both commercial and native fish populations. Experts are still studying lionfish to better comprehend their role in the waters. However, they are a potential threat to the Atlantic Ocean ecosystem.
Lionfish hunting should be conducted carefully since lionfish possess venomous spines that have excruciating pain.
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