Although a beautiful fish, this species is actually invasive to the caribbean and is causing lots of problems with the reefs. It is thought that the release was caused by a hurricane busting a large salt water aquarium in Florida causing an original six fish to escape.
Since that time, the lion fish has reproduced unchecked as they have no natural predators and eat the smaller fish that keep the algae from taking the coral over and killing it.
When the boys are out and about on their dives, they are instructed to spear any lion fish they see to try and control the population spread to St. Kitts. This is the first fish they have gotten but they have seen three total on the reefs.
Normally the rules prevent bringing anything back to the boat from dives, but when there is a problem, such as invasive species, the dive shop instructors and employees are given permits and encouraged to help out.
Eventually the Lion Fish will come, but for now, the troops are holding them at bay :-)
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