They are beautiful creatures indeed....
but oh so deadly to our Caribbean reefs.
Greetings, all you divers and Lion Fish Hunters!!!
Well, here it is, the moment you’ve all been waiting for- the results of the 1st Annual Blue Magic Scuba Lion Fish Tournament. During the tournament period, February 1 through June 15, Blue Magic Scuba captured 132 lion fish. This is actually quite distressing. Each month we captured more than the previous month, signaling a true invasion of this voracious eater and prolific breeder which does not belong in this part of the world. As far as we know, none of our native species finds this creature a ‘tasty meal’ yet. And so, the population continues to grow.
There are four prize categories for the tournament, and the winners are as follows:
The prize for the largest lion fish goes to Barbara Hill of Silver City, New Mexico. Her find was a whopping 274 grams. She will receive a 5-day, 2 tank dive package at Blue Magic Scuba. George Duncan was the runner up with one weighing in at 235 grams.
Because there was a 3-way tie for second prize – the most lion fish caught in one day – we had to do a special drawing for this package. Congratulations to Chris Bowman of Wake Forest, NC! He wins a 3-day dive package with Blue Magic Scuba.
The prize for the most lion fish caught during the tournament period, (Feburary 1 through June 15, 2010) was won by Michael Burke of Houston. Michael spotted, and we captured, 9 lion fish during his 6 days of diving with us. Michael will receive a $500 gift certificate to the local dive shop of his choice to buy ‘cool’ scuba gear!
And the Grand Prize Drawing – 4 nights at the Fiesta Americana and 3 , 2-tank dives goes to: Leslie Creighton of Dallas. This was a totally random drawing. All you had to do was spot one lion fish that the dive masters caught, and you were automatically entered in the drawing for this prize. The more fish you spotted and captured, the more times your names was entered and the more chances you had to win.
I would like to take a moment to thank everyone who has come to dive with us since Blue Magic Scuba was founded nearly 2 years ago. And to those of you who took an interest in helping us find and capture the Lion Fish –a HUGE thank you from everyone one in Cozumel who relies on divers like you for their livelihood. Also, I would also like to thank my dive masters – Pumbaa, (the Lion Fish King); Gabriel; and Sandro for continuing to look for, and capture, this menace. As beautiful as they are, these creatures are poisonous, are devastating to the Caribbean reef system, and they aren’t so easy to catch anymore! But, we have great employees and the Three Muskateers did a terrific job (none of them got a bad sting either!).
Even though the tournament has ‘officially ended’ I know that my staff will continue to hunt and capture lion fish. Please understand that our dives are not about just searching for these fish. But while looking for other beautiful, interesting creatures when diving in Cozumel, all of our divers and dive masters are bound to find at least one – large or small – and if at all possible, we will keep it from causing any more destruction. Our Marine Park is doing it’s part to encourage the ‘hunting’ of them; and I believe all of the dive shops in Cozumel should be doing everything they can as well.
Again, Congratulations to our winners – you did a great job! Remember you must claim your dive packages before November 30, 2010. Thank you again to all of our divers and supporters, we appreciate all your loyalty and help. All of us at Blue Magic Scuba hope to see you again soon in our warm, tropical Caribbean paradise!
All Our Best,
The Staff at Blue Magic Scuba
Joyce, Sandro, Pumbaa, Gabriel, Jorge, Alvaro, Francisco and Mercedes
i am not aware of the lion fish infestation. how did this happen and how can i as a puerto morelos diver help? can they even be taken from the park?
please forward me info if available.
Thank You.
George Kukacka
Hello George, thanks so much for your interest and comments. I will send you a separate email with more information on the lion fish itself from the scientist who has been following this problem, if you would like. Or, for a synopsis of the problem, you can go to my website’s home page and click on the Lion Fish Tournament icon near the bottom. It is a problem throughout the Caribbean, and some of us dive shop owners are trying to do our part. I’m surprised that more publicity hasn’t reached you; dive shops on the mainland are fully aware of it as well.
Again, thank’s so much for writing and if you want the more indepth report I have, I would be happy for forward it, just write to me at: joyce@bluemagicscuba.com. Take care, and happy diving!
we were even seeing them by the anchors were they put he bouies for public swiming.