![]() ![]() They feed on smaller fish that are important for commercial species, such as snapper and grouper, and fish that are key for maintaining the health of coral reefs. The lionfish – a voracious predator – has spread across reef ecosystems in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean at astonishing speed, releasing thousands of eggs every few days, and up to 2m a year. Invasive species are defined by having few or no predators once they enter a new ecosystem, causing their population to explode and crowd out others, stopping the ecosystem from healthily functioning in the process. Lionfish, which are native to the Indian and Pacific oceans, have become one of the most damaging marine invasive species on the planet. The lionfish has spread across reef ecosystems in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, where it feeds on eggs, small fish, crustaceans and molluscs “I know what I am doing doesn’t have the impact I’d like, I’m not going to change the situation or put an end to pollution or lionfish or illegal fishing of protected species, but I believe that if everyone does their bit, things will improve,” he says. Álvarez dives 20 to 30 metres to fish, and each time removes lionfish, along with any plastic he finds on the seabed. ![]() “Humans are predators par excellence and I think that, in this case, we are the only ones who can help control the situation in the Caribbean, because there have been tests trying to get other species to feed on them, but nothing has worked,” he adds. Sometimes I cook them to sell, sometimes to share with the family, but there are always fresh lionfish in my freezer,” he says. ![]() Álvarez is promoting the catching and consumption of this species through his social networks and pushing the idea among tourists and local people. Preparing lionfish to eat: first it is important to remove the dorsal fin, where the venomous spines are located, then the fish can be turned into ceviche, which has become a common dish in Chichiriviche de la Costa I know it’s an emergency situation, because when I go to some caves that I haven’t checked before, sometimes I find more lionfish than other species because they eat the small fish before their reproductive age, which is critical.” “You can’t just cast a net and pull them all out, you have to spear them one by one, only some divers and spear fishermen do that,” he says. The best technique to catch them, says Álvarez, is to use a spear or harpoon, but that is a time-consuming process. Its presence is also a risk for tourists.” Humans are predators par excellence and I think, in this case, we are the only ones who can help William Álvarezīecause fishers tend to avoid the species, and because it breeds so rapidly – laying up to 30,000 eggs every four days – there has been a noticeable rise in numbers. “That’s why many fishers simply decide not to go near it. If it gets caught in a net, you run the risk of getting hurt by one of its barbs and then you’ll be unable to work for several days,” says Rafael Mayora, 26, who often works with Álvarez. William Álvarez: ‘You can’t just cast a net, you have to spear them one by one’ ![]()
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