Bermuda Lionfish Task Force Donates To BZS

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June 24, 2019

The Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS] announced today that the Bermuda Lionfish Task Force [BLTF] has sponsored the Lionfish exhibit at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo’s [BAMZ].

“In 2000, the lionfish was first discovered in Bermuda in a tide pool at Devonshire Bay and kept in a private aquarium. Entered into the Agricultural Exhibition in 2001, it was seized by Fisheries and taken to the Aquarium,” BZS explained.

“It is believed this invasive species from the Pacific was introduced into the Atlantic in the late 1980s by local aquariums or fish hobbyists in Florida. Lionfish have now spread throughout the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, South America, Bermuda, and as far north as Massachusetts. As lionfish have few natural predators in the Atlantic, there is a very real threat they will deplete the population of juvenile and small reef fish in our waters.

“The concern of long-term impacts on the Bermuda fish population led BAMZ to undertake efforts to raise awareness of the threat of lionfish to our reefs. A 3-day international lionfish conference was held at BAMZ in the BZS education classrooms in 2009 so that a plan could be developed with the help of international experts.

“From this meeting the Bermuda Lionfish Task Force was formed; their mission is to raise public awareness of the lionfish invasion in Bermuda and to coordinate and support all activities to control lionfish population growth, thus reducing any negative impacts of the lionfish on our coral reefs, for the benefit of all Bermudians.”

Co-Chairmen of the BLTF, Paul Van Pelt and Kirk Kitson state, “The Bermuda Lionfish Task Force is very pleased to sponsor the lionfish exhibit at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, and thereby provide long term support for the Bermuda Zoological Society’s youth education programmes.

“BZS is well equipped to deliver outstanding educational experiences to thousands of Bermuda’s children each year through their Schools Programme and the Kids on the Reef Programme.

“We believe that teaching Bermuda’s youth about the precious marine resources surrounding our island, together with the opportunity to experience their beauty first hand, is the best way to increase stewardship of these resources and improve understanding of the threats they face. Education of the younger generation is one of our biggest priorities because they are the environmental leaders of tomorrow.”

“Keeping the Bermudian public aware of the dangers this ambush predator brings to our delicate marine eco-system is an important conservation message, and education is the main mission of the BZS”, said Colin Brown, BZS President.