Did you know that it takes 10 to 20 years for coral reefs to recover after invasive species? The lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a volatile, aggressive coral reef fish that is native to the tropical waters of the Indian and South Pacific Oceans. It has invaded the Caribbean, South America, and the Southeast coast of the United States. The invasion of this invasive species has reduced commercial fish species which include parrot fish, grouper, and snapper. It has also targeted herbivorous fish which consume macro-algae and help protect corals from algal overgrowth. According to a recent survey, 14% of the world\u2019s coral have died since 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Coral reefs make up an important part of marine ecosystems as it protects marine life and provides for them as well. Marine invasive species add to coral reef stress by removing their natural protectors against algae. Coral reefs globally have begun to experience coral bleaching due to heat waves. Coral bleaching is a coral\u2019s response to stressful conditions and can result in its death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The invasive lionfish has devastated commercial fisheries and coral reef ecosystems. Countries that depend on Tourism are negatively impacted by a decrease in reef fishes, while fishermen<\/a>[GU1]<\/a>\u00a0[ML2]<\/a>\u00a0[GU3]<\/a>\u00a0, swimmers, divers, and snorkelers are deterred by the painful sting of the lionfish from its spines. Other species that affect coral reefs are the crown-of-thorns starfish, a type of starfish that has exacerbated the loss of coral due to its share numbers alone. The crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) is a marine invertebrate that feeds on coral and is found in the Great Barrier Reef. It is native to the Indo-Pacific region. Climate scenarios have created ideal conditions for this starfish to thrive, which negatively impacts hard coral communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Presently, to protect coral reefs, coral nurseries have been created\nto help the reefs. They are artificial reefs that have been devised to help\nrestore reefs and increase marine diversity, abundance, and coral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, climate change is a crisis that is impacting many ecosystems and\nhas created new marine invasive pathways. The lionfish is currently on the\nCaribbean region\u2019s tagged species list as it poses a great risk to our marine\nlife. Many Caribbean countries have created campaigns to protect coral reefs.\nThese campaigns are geared towards hunting and reducing the population of\nlionfish that feed on commercial fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learn more about tagged species like the lionfish in our policy brief,\n\u2018Invasives Species Threaten Livelihoods and Valuable Biodiversity in\nthe Caribbean<\/a>.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read more about this from our sources below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Source:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Policy Brief<\/a> – Invasives\nSpecies Threaten Livelihoods and Valuable Biodiversity in the Caribbean<\/p>\n\n\n\n NOAA<\/a> \u2013 Impacts of Invasive Lionfish <\/p>\n\n\n\n Science News<\/a> – How slow\nand steady lionfish win the race against fast prey<\/p>\n\n\n\n Australian Institute of Marine Science<\/a> – Crown-of-thorns starfish<\/p>\n\n\n\n Australian Institute of Marine Science<\/a> \u2013 Coral bleaching<\/p>\n\n\n\n