By Todd Washowich (BonaireTalker - Post #13) on Monday, May 31, 2010 - 7:47 pm: |
I was wondering if anyone has any idea how the Lionfish got to Bonaire? As we know, it is best believed to have been released in Biscayne Bay, FL...
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By Grunt (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1098) on Monday, May 31, 2010 - 8:14 pm: |
If my (failing) memory serves me, the first USA Lionfish sightings were in North Carolina. They then migrated south, finally reaching the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. They then went farther south, till they made it in Belize. Ocean currents then carried fertilized spawn to Bonaire.
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By Jerry C Ligon (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #133) on Monday, May 31, 2010 - 8:15 pm: |
May be interested in some articles that I have written on The Naturalist page for the dive shop where I work.
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By Todd Washowich (BonaireTalker - Post #14) on Monday, May 31, 2010 - 8:19 pm: |
From the NOAA website
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By Todd Washowich (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Monday, May 31, 2010 - 8:22 pm: |
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/stories/lionfish/factsheet.html
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By Todd Washowich (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Monday, May 31, 2010 - 8:26 pm: |
Thanks Jerry..I was thinking about Ballast water as well.....nothing else makes sense unless there were more released in the ocean in South America....anyway, the little bastards are there now...time to get rid of them.
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By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #731) on Tuesday, June 1, 2010 - 2:40 pm: |
Todd, not sure what map you are using of currents, but there are a lot more than you quoted. Also, take a look at the USGS site and you will see the annual appearance picture. They likely got to Bonaire from the west, possibly as an egg sac, since they all appeared together as little small guys.
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By Molamola (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #758) on Sunday, June 6, 2010 - 12:45 pm: |
A liveaboard dive boat named Nekton Rorqual was visiting St Croix, 400 miles north of Bonaire. The first Lionfish here were sighted all on one dive, eight individuals all photographed on that dive by a visitor. The Nekton boat had been on that mooring the day before, having just arrived from Florida via the Bahamas. There after, it seemed that Lionfish were caught on dives made during the few days after the Rorqual was on the different moorings here. The boat home ported in Puerto Rico.
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By Jerry C Ligon (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #138) on Sunday, June 6, 2010 - 1:29 pm: |
There is no documented releases of lionfish from ships, period. So your anecdotal information is the only report that I have seen. In discussions with the experts, it is agreed that Cruise Ships do not offload ballast because they come in and leave with the same tonnage (passengers). However large cargo ships, or perhaps large private ships do exchange ballast. However, the fish being sighted immediately after the Nekton Roqual was moored does not appear to be the culprit. Any release of lionfish egg masses would have to go through the period of development and incubation, then hatching, drifting and settlement to the reef, which could take 4 to 6 weeks. Lionfish have no trouble drifting over deep, deep water and then settling on the reefs later. And I doubt seriously if the private liveaboard transported juveniles to St. Croix.
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By Todd Washowich (BonaireTalker - Post #21) on Sunday, June 6, 2010 - 2:21 pm: |
Jerry do you still work out of the Dive Shop next to the Sand Dollar? I took a Fish ID class / Dive with you a few years back.
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By Jerry C Ligon (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #139) on Monday, June 7, 2010 - 7:34 am: |
Yes, Todd, that would still be me at Bonaire DIve and Adventure, where Bari is our home reef.
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By Todd Washowich (BonaireTalker - Post #23) on Monday, June 7, 2010 - 7:46 am: |
I say it most likely came from the east coast of South America most likely.... Are all of the Lionfish you guys catching the same size and relative age?...Or are you catching all sizes etc....
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By Eric M. "CamMan" (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1186) on Monday, June 7, 2010 - 11:02 am: |
Jerry, did we ever meet when we were there in December? I didn't realized you worked at BDA. I met and talked frequently with a lot of the DMs and there was a gal there whose name eludes me but I don't remember meeting you.
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