Control of Lionfish in the Mesoamerican Reef

Moving through Belize, cradled between a whispering lagoon and the wide, sunlit Caribbean Sea, we find ourselves in Placencia. Here, crystalline waters stretch like sheets of glass, revealing a vibrant underworld of coral gardens, swaying sea fans, and darting fish that shimmer like jewels.

Yet beneath the surface, an invader stirs. The lionfish, with its striking stripes and venomous spines, threatens to disrupt the delicate balance of this underwater paradise. 

The conservation of this fragile ecosystem is at the heart of the work carried out by the Southern Environmental Association (SEA), a dedicated NGO that co-manages two of the country’s most important marine protected areas: Gladden Spit & Silk Cayes Marine Reserve (GSSCMR), famous for whale shark sightings and rich biodiversity, and Laughing Bird Caye National Park (LBCNP), a UNESCO World Heritage Site teeming with marine life. 

SEA’s efforts go beyond conservation—they actively engage local fishers, youth, and stakeholders in marine stewardship, lionfish control, and sustainable tourism. We are proud to inform that with your support, we were able to help with the lionfish control efforts by providing funds to SEA to develop a Lionfish Shootout Competition—an event took place on Sunday March 15, 2025 and it brought together local divers, fishers, and ocean advocates in a spirited competition to remove invasive lionfish from the reef. Three dive teams participated in the event: FINS Belize / ReefCI with 6 divers, Splash Dive Center with 7 divers, and Riversdale with 5 divers.

The participants competed to capture the most lionfish, the largest, smallest and heaviest catch, for a cash prize of BZ$500 that was awarded to the winners in each category. Through this competition SEA achieved the following results:

• Decrease of lionfish population: a total of 651 lionfish were removed with the smallest measuring 11cm total length (inclusive of tail) and the largest reaching 40cm in total length.
• Preservation of marine biodiversity: With fewer lionfish consuming native species, coral reef ecosystems can recover.
• Data Collection: SEA gathered information on lionfish sizes, population density, and distribution, helping refine future management strategies.
• Raising awareness: Participants and spectators learned about the invasive species problem and the importance of conservation efforts.
• Encouragement of Sustainable Fishing: By promoting lionfish as a food source, more people may begin targeting them commercially or recreationally outside of competitions.

More than just a contest, the competition strengthens the work carried out by SEA, raises awareness, and transforms a threat into an opportunity and we were able to be part of this, thanks to your support.

We appreciate your trust in our work and look forward to more lionfish control activities.

Thank you

The MAR Fund Team