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Cayman United Lionfish League - CULLing the Lionfish
The Cayman United Lionfish League, or CULL, as it is otherwise known, was officially formed in March of 2013, and since then, this group of concerned divers, snorkelers and environmentalists has organized regular tournaments in an effort to reduce the lionfish population.
CULL is now working closely with the Cayman Islands Tourism Association to educate the public about lionfish culling and organize tournaments throughout 2014 and beyond. Since the lionfish have no known predators,these lionfish culling events are the only sure way to keep lionfish from taking over as they have already done to other islands.
Diligence is the key to successfully keeping lionfish in check here, since these invasive fish can lay up to 30,000 eggs every four days. They are voracious eaters that consume the juvenile fish maintaining the reef. Their stomach can expand up to 30 times its normal volume and a lionfish will keep eating until its stomach is filled to capacity. Once the baby reef fish are gone, the reef can die from the build-up of algae that the smaller fish would have normally consumed.
The next big culling tournament, which will be the 11th tournament organized by CULL, is scheduled for May 10 and 11, located at Rackam’s in George Town. There will be prizes and awards up for grabs, and anyone licensed through the Department of the Environment or the PADI program can participate.
People who neither dive nor snorkel can still do their part by ordering lionfish off the menu of the restaurants that serve them. Have you ever tasted lionfish? It is a light, flaky, delectable morsel, perfect for ceviche and other recipes. It’s delicious and good for you!
Free samples will be handed out at Rackam’s, so even if you’re not participating in the cull underwater, you can certainly be a part of the initiative by eating the catches.
DIY wannabe chefs at home can buy lionfish from the local grocery stores carrying them; just ask at the counter.
Register for the CULL tournament on May 10 and 11 by signing up at Rackam’s on Thursday, May 8 between 5 and 7 p.m.
For more information on CULL, go to its Facebook page under “CULL-Cayman United Lionfish League".
