Source: Ambergris Today [1]
January 20, 2011

After the first confirmed sighting of a lionfish in Belize in December 2008, ECOMAR began working with the Belize Fisheries Department to raise awareness on the problems that are anticipated as a result of the increasing number of lionfish in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve Ecosystem.

The Belize Lionfish Project came about, where fishermen, tour guides and the public were being taught about the invasive and venomous creature. Monthly lionfish tournaments and workshops have been held as well.

On Tuesday, January 18, ECOMAR, in collaboration with the Belize Fisheries Department with the support from COMPACT (Community Management of Protected Areas Conservation Program) and other partners, held a Lionfish Outreach Training workshop with the objective to raise awareness on the impacts of the invasive lionfish population on our precious Barrier Reef. The workshop was held at the San Pedro Lions Den where they also discussed rules and regulations for the 1st ever San Pedro Lionfish Tournament.

As part of joining in the fight in managing the invasive lionfish, a first ever lionfish tournament took place on Wednesday, January 19, and as organized by the Coral Reef Alliance and the Hol Chan Marine Reserve in collaboration with Wahoo's Lounge and the San Pedro Tour Guide Association. Fishermen, tour guides, divers and the public were invited to participate in the tournament. All the activity and weighing station was centered at the beachfront at Wahoo's Lounge at the Spindrift Hotel.

To read the full text of the article, click here [2].