St. John Community Lionfish Response Program (CLRP) training course FAQ
How much does the CLRP Lionfish Training Course Cost?
The up front investment to become a certified and permitted lionfish hunter is $50.
This includes:
Your CORE Lifetime Responder Identification card, digital or physical, is required to submit permit applications to the National Park Service and DPNR for lionfish removal in Marine Protected Areas. They are also required for lionfish hunts sponsored by SCUBA+CORE departing from Fredericksted.
This includes:
- 1 CORE red long sleeve lionfish hunter sun shirt. Please wear this during lionfish hunts to denote your association with CORE and signify your completion of the CLRP Training Course.
- 1 digital copy of your CORE Lifetime Responder Identification Card. Please request your digital copy from [email protected].
- 1 printed and laminated CORE Lifetime Responder Identification Card. These cards do not expire, and certify that you have received proper training in lionfish identification, removal, and handling.
- 1 US Department of Interior National Park Service permit application, now valid for 5 years, to extract lionfish from Marine Protected Areas.
Your CORE Lifetime Responder Identification card, digital or physical, is required to submit permit applications to the National Park Service and DPNR for lionfish removal in Marine Protected Areas. They are also required for lionfish hunts sponsored by SCUBA+CORE departing from Fredericksted.
Who is this course for?
This program is primarily designed for full time residents aged 18 years or older.
This National Park Service sanctioned training event is tailored towards Virgin Island's inhabitants on all three islands who plan to be on island for the majority of the year. Our goal is to ensure our training efforts are utilized by our community members to actively participate in maintaining the health of our local reef ecosystems. If you are ready to learn how to safely and effectively hunt for lionfish year round in the VI, this course is for you!
We strive to create an environment of inclusion within our community, but this program is not designed for short term tourists seeking a fun and informative environmental education seminar. If this is you reading this, welcome! We here at CORE encourage you to poke around on the site for more of our information regarding invasive species, coral and reef ecosystem health, and other efforts our team and community are undertaking each week in the Virgin Islands. We have plenty of information here to learn, so we hope you find out something new today! Additionally, feel free to donate. This allows our local team and volunteers to continue our missions in preserving the underwater beauty of the Virgin Islands.
This National Park Service sanctioned training event is tailored towards Virgin Island's inhabitants on all three islands who plan to be on island for the majority of the year. Our goal is to ensure our training efforts are utilized by our community members to actively participate in maintaining the health of our local reef ecosystems. If you are ready to learn how to safely and effectively hunt for lionfish year round in the VI, this course is for you!
We strive to create an environment of inclusion within our community, but this program is not designed for short term tourists seeking a fun and informative environmental education seminar. If this is you reading this, welcome! We here at CORE encourage you to poke around on the site for more of our information regarding invasive species, coral and reef ecosystem health, and other efforts our team and community are undertaking each week in the Virgin Islands. We have plenty of information here to learn, so we hope you find out something new today! Additionally, feel free to donate. This allows our local team and volunteers to continue our missions in preserving the underwater beauty of the Virgin Islands.
What can I expect during the training?
First, we will start out with the meet n greet/sign in period, where everyone settles in, meets someone new, and confirms their RSVP on the sign in sheet.
The training will then break down into three main parts. The informational seminar, the dry land practice session, and the in water practical test.
The informational seminar will provide all of the information you will need to learn in a presentation style format, facts, information, anecdotes, questions, and conversation will commence during this period. The presenters will also go over the do's, dont's, and the gear used during lionfish hunting.
Next, the dry land practice session will give you an opportunity to try out the sling/pole spears on cardboard lionfish targets. This will give you a chance to take aim and practice hunting down lionfish in a safe and controlled environment before heading out into the water.
The final stage of the training event will take place in the water. You will be required to spear a cork with a pole spear at a depth of 15ft in order to complete the training, receive your lionfish hunter sun shirt, lionfish hunter ID card, and for us to submit your application to the National Park Service for your three year NPS lionfish hunting permit. Once you've successfully completed the requirements and your instructor has certified your knowledge and abilities, congratulations! You've completed the first step towards your first successful lionfish hunt.
Once your paperwork is processed by the NPS and your permit application is returned to you, the time to go hunt lionfish begins! You may now hunt for lionfish in Marine Protected Areas around the Virgin Islands. (Exception: Buck Island STX)
On average, it usually takes about two weeks for the NPS to process applications.
The training will then break down into three main parts. The informational seminar, the dry land practice session, and the in water practical test.
The informational seminar will provide all of the information you will need to learn in a presentation style format, facts, information, anecdotes, questions, and conversation will commence during this period. The presenters will also go over the do's, dont's, and the gear used during lionfish hunting.
Next, the dry land practice session will give you an opportunity to try out the sling/pole spears on cardboard lionfish targets. This will give you a chance to take aim and practice hunting down lionfish in a safe and controlled environment before heading out into the water.
The final stage of the training event will take place in the water. You will be required to spear a cork with a pole spear at a depth of 15ft in order to complete the training, receive your lionfish hunter sun shirt, lionfish hunter ID card, and for us to submit your application to the National Park Service for your three year NPS lionfish hunting permit. Once you've successfully completed the requirements and your instructor has certified your knowledge and abilities, congratulations! You've completed the first step towards your first successful lionfish hunt.
Once your paperwork is processed by the NPS and your permit application is returned to you, the time to go hunt lionfish begins! You may now hunt for lionfish in Marine Protected Areas around the Virgin Islands. (Exception: Buck Island STX)
On average, it usually takes about two weeks for the NPS to process applications.
Can I give away or sell my CORE Lionfish Hunter Sun Shirt?
We respectfully request that you do not sell, give away, or donate your red CORE lionfish hunter sun shirt. This is due to its signification of the person wearing it has completed the CORE CLRP Training Course, and they are permitted to remove lionfish from federally or locally protected Marine Protected Areas. Additionally, when wearing the lionfish hunter shirt, people may occasionally ask or have questions about lionfish, and we want our community members to be ambassadors about lionfish removal, providing accurate information to questions anyone may have. If you give away your shirt to someone who has not completed the training, the will unlikely be able to answer any questions about lionfish, leaving CORE with a missed opportunity to educate a tourist or member of the Virgin Islands public about lionfish, how they harm reef ecosystems, and why we are trying to remove them.
What do I need to bring to the CLRP Training course?
Please bring with you:
- Towel
- Reef Safe Sunscreen (Mineral sun screen: Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide)
- Mask
- Snorkel
- Fins
- Snacks/Pack Lunch
- Water
- Weight Belt for Buoyancy Trim (optional)
- Wet Suit (optional)
What does CORE provide?
CORE will provide:
- Instruction on identifying lionfish, safe culling methods, and responsible removal practices
- Pole spears during the event
- On-land practice targets
- In-water practice targets
- NPS permit application filing
- CORE lionfish hunter ID card
- CORE lionfish hunter long sleeve sun shirt
How long does the training take?
The time varies depending on the size of the group, along with other variables, but usually it takes around three and a half to four hours from start to finish. Everyone is on island time, so please leave a little flexibility in your plans, and come prepared with snacks, water, sun protection and maybe even a beach chair!
Do I need to fill anything out beforehand?
Nope! Paperwork will be handled in person during the meet 'n greet section during the beginning of the event. We do request that you RSVP to [email protected] in order to reserve your spot for the training. They usually do not sell out, but if an event becomes particularly popular, we may need to limit numbers, so secure your spot sooner rather than later!
Where do I send my RSVP?
Please email [email protected] with the subject line "CLRP Training RSVP - Date of training event" in order to secure your spot.
What is a lionfish extraction permit?
Regional Lionfish Management Plans require training to cover safety procedures as well as extraction methods and tools when extracting lionfish in Marine Protected Areas. CORE members that have completed training are able to apply for Extraction Permits in Marine Protected Areas. We will complete your first permit application after your CLRP Training Event. The Virgin Island's United States National Park Permits are valid for 5 years to extract lionfish with restrictions involving the use of specific methods and tools. Lionfish Diver Down Flags are flown to identify CORE permitted members in the MPA.