The reef/Poachers

[ljbd]

Put a bounty on lionfish. although beautiful they are invasive and not from the Caribbean. they will eat most of the other fish if given a chance. they also tastes pretty good. this would be an incentive for the poachers to hunt them out. hopefully giving the rest of the fish a break. beware spines are very poisonous.

[Mtig]

They kill them all the time. They take every conch in their path, every fish including lion fish, every lobster no matter the size and even turtles when they come across them. Out of ten lobster it would be lucky if one (1) of them were large enough to take. If you snorkel out from the beach to where the grass begins, there are piles of dumped conch shells. They are everywhere. It's all they know and when no one bothers them it's just a regular day at the office.
It's up to the officials of negril to notice there is a problem and to take action. The police stroll up and down the beach, usually looking for some shade, without earning a nickel of what they are being paid for. The marine patrol is no better. These poachers are out there every single day and their boats are filled.

[juls]

In Ambergris Caye they have a Lion fishing contest..and I was surprised at how many Lion fish they can catch..After the contest they clean em up and have a fish fry...Seems like one good way to get rid of those fish! And a couple of years ago it appeared they were going to be shipping the lionfish to somewhere in the states...I think Minnesota... to a restaurant that wanted them..Not sure if it all went thru but that would also help..

[patty_k]

Canoe bar has been serving up lion fish for the past two years! It had become one of our most popular menu items. We are also committed to serving only large mature fish which we filet on premises. Cheers!

[Mtig]

The lion fish are not the ones killing the Turtles or the conch.

[Mtig]

This post was started to try to open someones eyes that has the power to make a difference and save the reef and the creatures that live there. To make it what it once was. A healthy reef would do a lot for the negril area as well as bring back the animals that once thrived there and more tourists dollars for the locals.

[Nurse Marcia]

It's a good post, Mtig!

As long as tourists buy the small lobster, and out of season lobster, they will be illegally poached.
With education, maybe we can help.
Thanks, Mtig.

[Mtig]

Agree with education but I believe the individuals who are currently poaching are beyond education. Maybe the children. With a little effort from the local authorities, these guys will stop.

[Mtig]

And

[M&G Montreal]

There used to be a Negril Coral Reef Protection or Preservation Society - there was a link on this site's home page. At least I think there was. I believe, when not driving the One Love Bus, Lenbert is involved with it - maybe Rob can direct people to the right people to help preserve this treasure!
Sir Rob?