The next workshop will be hosted at Mote Marine Lab in Summerland Key on Wednesday October 24th, and will consist of a morning classroom session and afternoon dives with Captain Hook’s Strike Zone Charters in Big Pine Key. The workshop will begin at 9 AM, and will include background on the invasion, lionfish biology, ecological impacts, current research, collecting and handling techniques and much more! Attendees can obtain a permit to collect lionfish within the Sanctuary Preservation Areas in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary using hand nets only. Once wrapping up on land, we will head out to the water and actually put your skills to work during a two tank dive off Looe Key!
The workshop is free, and REEF will provide the lionfish collecting gear, but you will need to bring your own dive gear or rent through Strike Zone Charters. There is limited space available. To sign up and for more information please email reefhq@REEF.org or visit our website at www.REEF.org/education-and-outreach.