Divers Capture Record-Breaking 140 Lionfish in Fernando de Noronha; Invasive and Dangerous Species

A remarkable underwater operation led to the capture of 140 lionfish in Fernando de Noronha, setting a new record. The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) shared the news. This effort, carried out by a local diving company, is part of ongoing monitoring initiatives for the species in the area.

Dives took place at four different locations, three within the Fernando de Noronha Marine National Park and one in the Environmental Protection Area (APA). The activity occurred last Sunday (22) and marked the final monitoring operation of 2024.

Fernando Rodrigues, director of the diving company responsible for the action, highlighted the operation’s success and noted that the results exceeded expectations.

“Our mission was to inspect previously mapped areas to evaluate the recolonization rate of lionfish, analyzing their population density and size. The smallest lionfish we captured measured just ten centimeters, while the largest exceeded 45 centimeters. This was the operation with the highest number of captures so far,” Rodrigues explained.

The lionfish, scientifically known as Pterois volitans, is native to the Indo-Pacific region and was first identified in Brazil in 2014. The species was captured on the island for the first time in December 2020.

Species Threats

Experts warn that the lionfish is a highly predatory species capable of consuming up to 20 fish in just 30 minutes. It reproduces quickly, releasing up to 30,000 eggs in a single spawning event.

Pedro Pereira, coordinator of the Reef Conservation Project (PCR), stated that lionfish are currently more concentrated in deeper waters but are showing a tendency to migrate to shallower areas. He also mentioned the possibility of approving the species for human consumption as a way to control its population.

“We are working on allowing the consumption of lionfish to create additional pressure and help reduce their numbers,” Pereira reported.

The capture of lionfish is a crucial step in preserving the ecological balance of Fernando de Noronha’s reefs, protecting native species, and ensuring the health of the region’s marine ecosystems.

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