[Coral-List] First confirmed lionfish sigting in Codrington Lagoon, Barbuda.

Andy Estep aestep at waittinstitute.org
Tue Apr 28 08:21:34 EDT 2015


Hello All,


Please find a press release below covering the first lionfish sighting in
Barbuda's Codrington Lagoon. The full press release, map, and photos are
attached. An additional release in the Antigua Observer can be found here
<http://bit.ly/1OyYAYZ> (http://bit.ly/1OyYAYZ).


Best,


Andy


Andy Estep
Science Manager, Waitt Institute <http://bit.ly/WaittInst>
@andyjestep <https://twitter.com/andyjestep> | (786) 521-0113
@WaittInstitute <http://bit.ly/WI-twt> | Instagram <http://bit.ly/WI-insta>
 | Vimeo <http://bit.ly/WI-vimeo>


______________________________


*First Siting of Lionfish in Barbuda’s Codrington Lagoon.*



Friday, 24 April 2015



*Codrington, Barbuda, Antigua & Barbuda (Waitt Institute)*





CODRINGTON, BARBUDA – On Wednesday April 22nd, staff from Codrington Lagoon
National Park, Barbuda Fisheries, and the Waitt Institute confirmed a
siting of the invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish, *Pterois volitans, *in
the Fishing
Creek
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/17%C2%B042'45.9%22N+61%C2%B051'44.6%22W/@17.7144652,-61.8632911,865m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0>
area
of Codrington Lagoon. While lionfish have been present in the coastal
waters of Barbuda for several years, this is the first confirmed sighting
within Codrington Lagoon. The implications of lionfish establishing a
community within the lagoon are potentially very serious. The lagoon serves
a vital ecological role in Barbuda’s marine ecosystems as a nursery habitat
for fish and lobsters, both of which are a regular component of the
lionfish’s voracious diet.



Fishermen and divers in the community are encouraged to report any
sightings of lionfish around Barbuda or in Codrington Lagoon. They will
likely be found under ledges, large boulders, man made structures, or even
under large sponges. Those capable of doing so are encouraged to capture
the lionfish and bring to the Barbuda Fisheries complex for analysis.
Sightings should be reported to Doug Beazer, Acting Senior Fishery Officer
of Barbuda Fisheries or Andy Estep, Science Manager of the Waitt Institute.
For more info on lionfish, a factsheet is available at
http://www.waittinstitute.org/factsheets.



*Additional information and resources:*

Lionfish Factsheet: http://www.waittinstitute.org/factsheets

Twitter: @waittinstitute <http://bit.ly/WI-twt>

Instagram: @waittinstitute <http://bit.ly/WI-insta>

Facebook: facebook.com/waittinstitute <http://bit.ly/WI-fb>

YouTube: youtube.com/waittinstitute



*For more information or to set up interviews, contact:*

Stephanie Roach, Program Manager, Waitt Institute

+1 202 609 8919 | sroach at waittinstitute.org


Ogden Burton - Codrington Lagoon National Park Manager -- 268.460.0217

Doug Beazer – Barbuda Fisheries Officer (268.734.5020)

Andy Estep – Science Manager, Waitt Institute (aestep at waittinstitute.org)


*Waitt Institute:* The Waitt Institute
<http://www.waittinstitute.org/> endeavors
to ensure ecologically, economically, and culturally sustainable use of
ocean resources. The Institute partners with governments committed to
developing and implementing comprehensive, science-based, community-driven
solutions for sustainable ocean management. Our goal is to benefit coastal
communities while restoring fish populations and habitats. Our approach is
to engage stakeholders, provide the tools needed to design locally
appropriate policies, facilitate the policymaking process, and build
capacity for effective implementation and long-term success.

-- 
Andy Estep
Science Manager, Waitt Institute <http://bit.ly/WaittInst>
@andyjestep <https://twitter.com/andyjestep> | (786) 521-0113
@WaittInstitute <http://bit.ly/WI-twt> | Instagram <http://bit.ly/WI-insta>
 | Vimeo <http://bit.ly/WI-vimeo>


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