Special operation captures 24 lionfish in Fernando de Noronha

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ICMBio took stock of the invasive species management work carried out on the island. Since 2020, 154 individuals of the species have been captured. Divers carried out the capture in Noronha Pamella Rech/Barracudas A special operation was carried out over the weekend, in Fernando de Noronha, by the operator Sea Paradise and 24 lionfish, an invasive and poisonous species, were captured. With new data, the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity (ICMBio) announced, this Monday (24), that a total of 154 lionfish have been captured since the first animal of the species was caught on the island, in December 2020. Share on WhatsApp Share on Telegram The scientific name of the fish is Pterois volitans. This species has spines that contain a toxin that can cause fever, redness, and even seizures in humans. The animal is a predator and can consume endemic species, which only occur in this region, in addition to causing an ecological imbalance. Lionfish is invasive and poisonous Fábio Borges/Personal collection ALSO READ: G1 infographic details animal that threatens local ecosystem Understand risks of lionfish to nature and humans Lionfish is captured for the first time off the coast of PE; animal is invasive, poisonous and predator Biologist Clara Buck, a member of the ICMBio research team in Fernando de Noronha, reported that after capture, the animals are sent for study at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), at the Fluminense Federal University ( UFF) and at the California Academy, in the United States. “We forwarded the material to better understand the biology of the species in Fernando de Noronha, with an analysis of what the fish feeds on, size, reproduction and speed at which population growth occurs, in addition to the genetics of the individuals”, declared Clara Buck. The researcher informed that the management of the lionfish on the island is carried out with the support of divers from the operators. The professionals were trained and work on a daily basis at sea. Once a month, diving instructors also participate in a joint action with ICMBio at points where commercial diving does not take place, in the Marine National Park area. “In addition, two technical diving expeditions were carried out with the aim of identifying and capturing individuals in deep areas. The first expedition, in January, had nine individuals captured; the second expedition, in April, accounted for 24 captures”, said the ICMBio researcher. Captured fish were delivered to ICMBio ICMBio Noronh/Disclosure Clara Buck informed that these expeditions in deep areas are of great importance for management. Lionfish can be found in regions up to 300 meters deep. Individuals from deeper areas can contribute to population growth and occupation of shallow areas. The biologist pointed out that all divers and companies that contribute to the implementation of the management plan have special authorization to carry the equipment for capturing lionfish. Spearfishing is prohibited in the conservation units of Fernando de Noronha, which are the National Marine Park and the Environmental Protection Area (APA). The researchers’ expectation is that the lionfish population will continue to grow. “We expect the population to continue to increase in the coming years. The species has great reproductive capacity; this fish can lay up to 30,000 eggs a month,” said Clara Buck. In Fernando de Noronha, other alternatives of the management plan for the species are not yet applied. The researcher informed that the application of measures such as the introduction of lionfish in the residents’ diet, tests with specific traps in deep areas, among others, have not been ruled out. “These management measures, when applied together, are very effective and essential for controlling the lionfish population. The alternatives are applied elsewhere in the [Oceano] Atlântico who went through the situation we are going through”, revealed Clara Buck. VIDEOS: most viewed from Pernambuco in the last 7 days

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