JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The second annual Northeast Florida Lionfish Rodeo took place at the Beach Marine at Jacksonville Beach Saturday.
The event set a record for the number of lionfish caught in one weekend. They caught 1,102 lionfish.
Spearfishmen were invited to a charity tournament dedicated to reducing the population of lionfish, as well as gathering information.
Marine biology students collected data from the lionfish.
Lionfish are a non-native species, have no natural predators, can release 12,000 eggs every four days and eat ecologically important species.
Divers were required to pay $35, which included the price of a T-shirt.
Event organizer and diver, Walt Quinn said, “The volume of lionfish, which will be caught during this single-day event, demonstrates that dedicated diver removal efforts can be effective at helping keep this invasive species at bay."
Proceeds from the event benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville, and the Reef Environmental and Education Foundation.
WJAX
