How the Caribbean Lionfish Response Program Began:
The invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish was first sighted in the USVI and extracted in the St. John US National Park in 2008. St. Croix's first invasive lionfish was sighted and extracted in 2009. Although the first sighting was in 2008, the invasive lionfish were largely unseen in St. John and St. Thomas until late 2010, whereas St. Croix continued to capture after first sighting in 2009. Sightings increased in size and frequency thereafter throughout the USVI.
In 2009, the non-profit organization REEF, visited the USVI to inform the community about the impending invasion by the Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish. They advised that an Invasive Species Management Program needed to be built and implemented throughout the territory to assist the community and governmental agencies. C.O.R.E. took on this task.
To assist with the territory’s 2009 USVI Lionfish Management Plan, Joseph Gulli (C.O.R.E. Founder) felt that the USVI government and National Parks would need the community’s assistance to accomplish this massive undertaking. To assist with the management of this invasive species, the C.O.R.E. Foundation developed and implemented the Caribbean Lionfish Response Program.
This programming was designed to assist with all facets of invasive species management. Education that addressed educational materials, public awareness and classroom presentations. Eco-Friendly Freediving and Scuba Diving Search and Extraction training are provided throughout the USVI. Lastly, and most importantly, an Invasive Species Response Network across the USVI, BVI and Puerto Rico. The Response Network to be aided by Sighting Hotlines and a Sighting Page on C.O.R.E. Website.
In 2009, the non-profit organization REEF, visited the USVI to inform the community about the impending invasion by the Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish. They advised that an Invasive Species Management Program needed to be built and implemented throughout the territory to assist the community and governmental agencies. C.O.R.E. took on this task.
To assist with the territory’s 2009 USVI Lionfish Management Plan, Joseph Gulli (C.O.R.E. Founder) felt that the USVI government and National Parks would need the community’s assistance to accomplish this massive undertaking. To assist with the management of this invasive species, the C.O.R.E. Foundation developed and implemented the Caribbean Lionfish Response Program.
This programming was designed to assist with all facets of invasive species management. Education that addressed educational materials, public awareness and classroom presentations. Eco-Friendly Freediving and Scuba Diving Search and Extraction training are provided throughout the USVI. Lastly, and most importantly, an Invasive Species Response Network across the USVI, BVI and Puerto Rico. The Response Network to be aided by Sighting Hotlines and a Sighting Page on C.O.R.E. Website.
EDUCATION
C.O.R.E. has designed and distributed 6 different Educational materials throughout the USVI, BVI and Puerto Rico since 2009. Various educational materials were developed to provide quick facts about the invasion and its impact upon the environment.
All materials include directions if an individual was to get stung by a lionfish. Contact information also is provided to encourage sighting participation.
All materials include directions if an individual was to get stung by a lionfish. Contact information also is provided to encourage sighting participation.
- First Aid Placard
- International Charter Placard
- Invasive Lionfish Postcards
- Invasive Lionfish Posters
- Invasive Lionfish Placards
- Invasive Lionfish Identification Cards
Our Educational Outreach goals are to inform all age groups of the USVI, BVI and PR communities. Those that are indirectly or not effected are just as important to be informed as those directly effected. To be most effective with any issue, it is important to have the community's support and effort to accomplish positive effect. We have developed PowerPoint presentations that reach different age and marine usage groups.
Public Awareness Presentations - PowerPoint presentations with educational materials and preserved specimen.
Classroom Presentations (K- Univ.)- Age specific PowerPoint presentations with educational materials, preserved specimens and interactive educational projects.
Public Awareness Presentations - PowerPoint presentations with educational materials and preserved specimen.
Classroom Presentations (K- Univ.)- Age specific PowerPoint presentations with educational materials, preserved specimens and interactive educational projects.
TRAINING
C.O.R.E.'s Dive Directors are PADI Professionals and outstanding stewards of the environment. They conduct Search and Response Training, Community Lionfish Response and C.O.R.E. Response dives.
Search and Response training was developed by the C.O.R.E. foundation and is endorsed by the U.S. National Park of St. John and U.S.V.I. Department of Parks and Natural Resources.
C.O.R.E.'s training is listed as necessary training in several Invasive Species Management Plans. This has allowed C.O.R.E. trained Responders the opportunity to apply for Lionfish Extraction Permits in U.S.N.P. Marine Protected Waters.
Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish Systematic Search Training (Freediving and SCUBA)
Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish Collection Training (SCUBA)
Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish Extraction Training (Freediving and SCUBA)
Search and Response training was developed by the C.O.R.E. foundation and is endorsed by the U.S. National Park of St. John and U.S.V.I. Department of Parks and Natural Resources.
C.O.R.E.'s training is listed as necessary training in several Invasive Species Management Plans. This has allowed C.O.R.E. trained Responders the opportunity to apply for Lionfish Extraction Permits in U.S.N.P. Marine Protected Waters.
Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish Systematic Search Training (Freediving and SCUBA)
Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish Collection Training (SCUBA)
Invasive Indo-Pacific Lionfish Extraction Training (Freediving and SCUBA)
C.O.R.E.'s CLRP training is endorsed by U.S. National Park St. John, USVI D.P.N.R. and N.O.A.A. to provide training for the U.S.V.I. This training has allowed C.O.R.E. trained members to apply for permits to extract lionfish from protected waters since 2011.
To preserve Marine Protected Areas, maintenance of invasive species and pollution are just as important as prohibiting marine usage. It is important to continue invasive species management within Marine Protected Areas. Increasing culling efforts with trained, permitted individuals and groups are effective in decreasing population densities and frequency.
To preserve Marine Protected Areas, maintenance of invasive species and pollution are just as important as prohibiting marine usage. It is important to continue invasive species management within Marine Protected Areas. Increasing culling efforts with trained, permitted individuals and groups are effective in decreasing population densities and frequency.
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
Community Response has proven to be essential in increasing awareness while encouraging sightings and extractions. The communities response to this invasion has been essential. Fishermen, Dive and Snorkel Operations, Spearfishermen and our thousands of aquatic enthusiasts from near and far, have participated in invasive species response.
Some U.S.V.I. Fishermen pull hundreds or even thousands of Lionfish a year. This along with other response groups and individuals assist significantly with the overall positive effect of an invasive species management system.
Since 2009, C.O.R.E. has assisted the community by funding and leading Community Response Dives throughout the USVI with the help of our Dive Operator Partners, primarily St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures (SCUBA) in St. Croix, Red Hook Dive Center in St. Thomas, and Low Key Watersports in St. John. These Dive Operators territory wide generously donate in these effort and we appreciate their support immensely.
Some U.S.V.I. Fishermen pull hundreds or even thousands of Lionfish a year. This along with other response groups and individuals assist significantly with the overall positive effect of an invasive species management system.
Since 2009, C.O.R.E. has assisted the community by funding and leading Community Response Dives throughout the USVI with the help of our Dive Operator Partners, primarily St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventures (SCUBA) in St. Croix, Red Hook Dive Center in St. Thomas, and Low Key Watersports in St. John. These Dive Operators territory wide generously donate in these effort and we appreciate their support immensely.
C.O.R.E. Dive Directors and our partners throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico have worked diligently since 2009 training and executing an Invasive Lionfish Response System. The Invasive Lionfish Response System was developed and maintained by the C.O.R.E. Foundation to assist the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rican Governments with managing their Marine Protected Areas and surrounding territorial waters. The idea is to empower trained C.O.R.E. members with an active Sighting and Response system, so they have a beacon to focus their removal efforts.
The network consists of sighting hotlines, emails and a sighting webpage, found via the link here or under the lionfish dropdown menu. Additionally, all of our educational materials have contact information for the sighting network. Sighting hotlines, emails, social media page and sighting webpage are all essential to make it easy for individuals to report a lionfish sighting.
The sighting webpage provides users with search and extraction data from other users. This tool tabulates data and over time can provide many answers to distribution, frequency and density. This will be helpful for sustained commercial fishing as well as effective population management.
The sighting webpage provides users with search and extraction data from other users. This tool tabulates data and over time can provide many answers to distribution, frequency and density. This will be helpful for sustained commercial fishing as well as effective population management.