Control of Lionfish in the Mesoamerican Reef

With the catches obtained during the derby that took place in the month of April-2016 in the Motagüilla site, located in front of the river mouth of the Motagua River in Punta de Manabique in the coast of Guatemala, Mundo Azul Foundation provided the women from El Quetzalito village the material needed to participate in the Gastronomic Festival that took place on Saturday April 23^rd in Izabal, Guatemala.

The participation from the women had its benefits, thanks to Mundo Azul Foundation, the women showcased their best lionfish dishes at the festival, after practicing with the help of a famous Guatemalan chef Milly (Titi) Bruderer.

We are happy to announce that as a result of their effort and hunger for knowledge, the women from El Quetzalito were able to present to the judges’ unique lionfish dishes which got them 2^nd and 3^rd place in the festival.

This activity only proves that the communities are interested on investing their time in learning how to handle and cook lionfish and also understand how important it is to work together to a) manage their fisheries resources for the benefit of the reefs and b) take their cooking skills to the next level.

Reaching this goal wouldn’t have been able without your help, for which we are grateful.

With this they were able to let everybody know that the women from El Quetzalito can cook.

Thank you again for your support!

We also want to take the time and wish you a Happy Holidays, may this New Year bring blessings your way.

All the best

The MAR Fund Team

Continuing with the extraction of lionfish in the Motagüilla site, located in front of the river mouth of the Motagua River in Punta de Manabique in the coast of Guatemala, Mundo Azul Foundation with the support of the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP) and members from El Quetzalito community, developed the third derby of 2016 from April 10^th through April 14^th.

Although this time there was a slight change of plans, the team went one mile farther out from the original site in Motagüilla for two dives to hunt more specimens. Why is this, you may ask… well on Saturday April 23^rd, the Gastronomic Festival took place in Izabal, Guatemala and the women from El Quetzalito participated with different lionfish dishes learnt, so they needed more fish. In this hunt 40 specimens where acquired in the area and taken back so they could be cooked and presented at the Festival.

The other two dives did happen in the Motagüilla site to record any changes in lionfish presence since the derbies began. In this site the presence of lionfish is diminishing, as a result only 7 specimens where hunted in this area. Proving that controlled, planned and organized derbies have their benefit and positive outcomes.

With your support, aside from being able to diminish the population of lionfish, we were able to help the women from El Quetzalito be part of the Gastronomic Festival and showcase their special dishes.

Enjoy!

We´ll share the results of the Festival on our next report.