A COMMERCIAL FISHING
INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE ON
LIONFISH IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
Capt. Bill Kelly, Executive Director
Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association
305-619-0039 – [email protected]
Geographical Distribution
• Both sides of the islands from Dry Tortugas to
Key Largo inshore and offshore
• Highest yield occurs with traps placed
oceanside in 140 - 200’ of water
• Well documented and abundant to 300’ while
still targeting spiny lobster
• Less than 1% harvested shallower than 100’
by trap gear
• Virtually no harvest by stone crab gear
Capt. Gary Nichols – The Lion King
Middle to Upper Keys – [email protected]
5 Year History of Harvesting Lionfish
Year
Gross Weight
Avg Weight Range
Avg Length
2009
49 lbs
1/3 lb
3-4”
2010
1,000 lbs
1/3 – 1/2 lb
3-5”
2011
6,000 lbs
1/2 - 2/3 lb
5-7”
2012
10,000 lbs
2/3 - 1 lb
7-8”
2013
100-500 lbs/week
1 lb
8” & Up
• Largest fish to date: 3 lbs & 18”
• Deeper you fish the bigger the lionfish
Productivity &
Seasonal Fluctuations
• Cooler months of late fall into early spring
• Increased yield noticeable as soon as water
temperatures begin to cool (78-80⁰F)
• As many as 25 per trap - a 20 trap trawl will
typically produce 50 pounds of lionfish
• Averaging 500 pounds per week but has
harvested as much as 500 pounds in one day
• Broken bottom meaning close to some relief
or structure is the most productive
Crew Training & Handling
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Review basics but all have learned together
Use 12-18” tongs to remove fish from trap
Fire Rescue called 6 times in 5 years
Treatment: 2 Benadryl & 1 Aleve to start
Half hour later 2 Benadryl
Hot compresses are also effective
Pain usually subsides in 45 minutes
Some people build a tolerance to the venom
Viability of a Lionfish Trap Program
• Trapping is a proven method of high yield
harvesting (limited directed effort)
• Reducing by-catch through trap design is a top
priority in any successful trap program
• Funding for a well planned effort has been lacking
since Dr. James Morris sounded the alarm over a
decade ago
• Evaluation by an accredited institution such as
FWRI is essential
• Creating consumer demand is a must
Creating Consumer Demand
Pete Johnson
Johnson Communications
[email protected] – 480-951-3654
MARKETING HISTORY
Pickup Truck Marketing – A Star is Born
Coconut Telegraph – Word Travels Fast
In the Florida Keys
Today’s Markets
Florida Keys – Miami – New York City
Coastal South Carolina
MARKETING TECHNIQUES
Recreational, Commercial, Consumer Awareness
Networking National & International Media with
Marine Interests
Social Media – Facebook – Twitter – Linked In
Generating Marketing Through Major
Distributors
PRODUCT IDENTITY/BRANDING
Exceptional Table Fare
Nutritionally Healthy
Beneficial to the Environment
Harvested to Hazard Analysis and Critical Control
Points Standards (HACCP)
WHERE WE ARE TODAY
Only three Gary Nichols Out There in the Keys
Challenged to Meet Demand
Effective Harvesting Methods Needed
Trapping With Minimal By-Catch Could
Be the Answer
EFFECTIVE & WELL-FUNDED
MARKETING EFFORT
Combined Resource Utilization
of
State Fishing Commissions & NOAA
Departments of Agriculture/Commerce
Media – All Areas
Private Enterprise