The eighth edition of the Lionfish Challenge concluded this October, shattering previous records and crowning Baye Beauford Lionfish King, 2023. The competition saw 281 registrants embarking on 917 dive trips over a four-month period, which collectively removed 30,494 invasive Lionfish from Florida State Waters.
Recreational diver Beauford caught 1514 lionfish alone, while Commercial Champion Jerry Butler landed 1208 pounds of Lionfish. The total is the highest recorded since Florida Fish And Wildlife started the competition in 2014, and 5,000 more lionfish were removed this year, than in 2022.
“I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to every individual who participated in the Lionfish Challenge, and a special congratulatory thank you to our 2023 Lionfish King and Commercial Champion,” said FWC Commission Chairman Rodney Barreto. “Our Lionfish Challenge participants have become environmental heroes, defending our marine ecosystems against invasive lionfish and exemplifying the spirit of conservation.”
“The Lionfish Challenge is a great way to get people outdoors and involved in conservation by removing invasive lionfish. ” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “Thank you to all 2023 participants for removing over 30,000 invasive lionfish from Florida’s waters. Your efforts are making a difference in conserving our amazing marine resources.”
About the Lionfish Challenge
The Lionfish Challenge is a summer-long tournament that rewards divers for their lionfish harvests. The tournament is open to everyone, is completely free to enter and participants can compete from anywhere in the state. Divers receive prizes throughout the challenge based on the number of lionfish they harvest and compete for the prestigious title of the Lionfish King/Queen or Commercial Champion. The Lionfish, Pterois volitans, is native to the Pacific Ocean, but has wreaked havoc in the waters of the Atlantic in recent years.
More info
To learn more about lionfish go to MyFWC.com/Lionfish. To keep up with lionfish programs go to FWC Reef Rangers Facebook page: Facebook.com/FWCreefrangers.
