The Lionfish Invasion
What is a Bahamian solution to a dangerous invasive species? Eat ‘em.
Lionfish are invading Bahamian reefs at a dangerous rate, threatening native fish stocks and the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem. This documentary looks at one of the Bahamian responses to the invasion.
The Lionfish Invasion stars Gary Richardson and Thomas Bethel, two Bahamians who are learning about lionfish and
demonstrating ways to take action. Using underwater footage the film explores what we know about these non native invaders, which are originally from the Indo-Pacific region of the world and are now a major threat to native juvenile fishes and invertebrates. It also documents some of the very interesting research and scientific projects being done in the islands. It turns out that there is not very much information about lionfish or the consequences of marine invasive species, so the Bahamas has become a living scientific laboratory The film also demonstrates that lionfish can be safely caught, cleaned, eaten and sold. In fact, eating lionfish may be one of the only ways to stem their spread!
The film came about because scientists working on this issue in The Bahamas wanted to raise awareness of the problems the lionfish invasion is causing. They were able to make the case to the National Science Foundation, who provided funding through the University of North Carolina.
A partnership was formed with scientists from these institutions, Friends of the Environment, an Abaco based education NGO, and Loggerhead Productions to produce the video. Loggerheads used HD cameras, both above and below water, to capture the exciting imagery.
Gary Richardson and Thomas Bethel came on board to host the video. They grew up together and have great on screen chemistry, plus both are passionate about local ecosystems. They were able to bring a Bahamian perspective, filled with humor, to an international audience. We hope this video will help make Bahamians, and others throughout the Carribbean, aware of the threats of lionfish – and show them not to fear lionfish, but to eat ‘em.
Partners
Friends of the Environment, a nonprofit organization based in Abaco, Bahamas. Friends of the Environment’s mission it to preserve and protect Abaco’s marine and terrestrial environments in order to achieve sustainable living for the wildlife and people of Abaco, Bahamas. To that end FRIENDS has five program areas, each with a working committee: terrestrial conservation, sustainable development, waste management/ recycling, marine conservation and the largest of the five program areas, environmental education. Learn more…
John Bruno, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Bruno received his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Brown University and conducted his Post doctoral research at Cornell University. Learn More…
Craig Layman, Assistant Professor, Marine Sciences Program, Florida International University. Dr. Layman received his Ph.D. at Texas A & M and spent two years as the Donnelley Environmental Fellow at Yale University before moving to Florida International University. Learn More…
