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Venomous Lionfish Invading Florida Keys

Tribune file photo (2004)

Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific region, but have recently been spotted in the Atlantic and Caribbean.

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The Associated Press

Published: March 2, 2009

KEY WEST, Fla. - Key West marine officials are campaigning against the possible invasion of a venomous marine fish popular with fish collectors.

Officials with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and coral reef conservationists argue that the lionfish will compete for food and habitat with native reef species. They could also harm divers or swimmers.

The lionfish has long, venomous spines used for protection.

The Reef Environmental Education Foundation - or REEF - is handing out stickers to dive shops, government offices and other businesses to alert the public.

The lionfish is native to the Indo-Pacific region. But most recently, the lionfish was spotted in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.

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