Thursday, September 24, 2009

Possible Lionfish Sighting on Bonaire

Readers of the Bonaire Insider are well acquainted from prior postings with the impending lionfish invasion into the southern Caribbean.  It appears that now there has been a possible sighting on Bonaire.

Last week the Bonaire Marine Park received the first report of a lionfish sighting on Bonaire. Marine park staff spent several hours diving in the reported area, but could not confirm the sighting.  The report indicated that a juvenile lionfish was spotted at Keepsake at Klein Bonaire 6 to 10 meters (20 to 33 feet) west of the mooring at a depth of approximately 12 to 15 meters (40 to 50 feet). 

If divers spot any lionfish in any location, please inform the Bonaire Marine Park (telephone: 717-8444) as soon as possible, and specify the date the fish was seen, the dive site and the distance from the mooring in meters or minutes diving, the depth at which the fish was spotted, the approximate size, as well as any specific reef references that can help to locate it.  (Source:  Bonaire National Marine Park)