| It seemed only a short time ago that the lionfish was detected in the waters around the Bahamas as it continued its invasive journey. |
Later, one of its species was found in Anguillian waters and was killed, in the Crocus Bay area at a depth of some 60 feet, by a diver from the Fisheries and Marine Department. Since then, there have been reported sightings at Island Harbour and possibly other marine areas. The latest sighting was on Monday this week off Corito, on the island’s south coast. Well-known local comedian, “Ole Man Nuncy” (Danny Bryan), accompanied by two friends, turned up at The Anguillian with a baby Lionfish which he shot in 10 feet of water. “Put dis ting in de paper leh de people see wha I ketch,” he said, in his comedian way of speaking. An internet writer wrote the following comment on the lionfish: “Mentioning the word ‘Lionfish’ (also known as the Scorpionfish, Devil Firefish) around divers of late tends to ignite some very different emotions. Prior to the early 90s the lionfish was merely another predator fish which was beautiful but equally dangerous, though since then a lot has changed. “The lionfish is native to the Indian Pacific, with the range of its origin extending from Western Australia northwards to Malaysia and as far as Japan. Though since this time the lionfish has conquered oceans all over the world…It is a brutal predator ands thus is able to survive in any tropical waters with some ease. The lionfish can now be found throughout much of the Caribbean, Eastern Atlantic, Red Sea and the Mediterranean.” |
