Divers Capture 62 Lionfish in Fernando de Noronha, Including the Largest Ever Recorded

During a management operation in Fernando de Noronha, divers captured 62 lionfish, an invasive and venomous species that poses a threat to the local ecosystem. Among the captured specimens, one stood out for its record-breaking size: 49 centimeters in length, the largest ever recorded in the world.

The achievement was announced on Sunday (9) by divers trained by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), who work to control the species in the region. The capture took place on February 27, and to confirm the exceptional size of the fish, a comparative study was conducted with international institutions, mainly from the Caribbean. According to biologist Maicon Messias, from the diving operator involved in the action, there are no records of lionfish exceeding 47 centimeters.

The lionfish (Pterois volitans) has venomous spines that can cause adverse reactions in humans, such as fever, redness, and, in severe cases, seizures. Additionally, it is a voracious predator that can impact local biodiversity by preying on endemic species, causing ecological imbalances.

The record-breaking fish was captured during a technical dive at a depth of 29 meters. According to Messias, the presence and size of the lionfish indicate that the species has adapted well to the island’s environment and faces few challenges to its proliferation, as it has no natural predators in the region.

Large Captures Reinforce Environmental Concerns

On the same day, in another area of Fernando de Noronha, divers located and captured 61 lionfish at a depth of 39 meters, within the Marine National Park. The fish were found outside the traditional diving spots, further raising concerns about the expansion of the species.

The captured specimens will be sent to ICMBio for research purposes. The collected material will be studied by various academic institutions, including the Reef Conservation Project and universities such as the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), the Fluminense Federal University (UFF), the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), and the Federal University of Alagoas (Ufal).

This action reinforces the importance of vigilance and control over invasive species to preserve the marine ecosystems of Fernando de Noronha.

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