We're gearing up to host the 15th annual REEF Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Festival on August 15-18! A Lionfish Derby is a competition where teams of divers and snorkelers compete to collect as many invasive lionfish as possible. REEF Lionfish Derbies educate the public about invasive species, gather important scientific information on lionfish populations, and help to develop a consumer market for invasive lionfish.
Derby team registration is open, and teams of two to four people may register online to compete in the derby. Registration is $120 per team. Teams may register in either the Apex Predators division (competitive, higher prize money) or Reef Defenders (casual, lower prize money.) Cash prizes will be awarded to the teams who collect the most, largest, and smallest lionfish.
Teams may hunt lionfish from sunrise to sunset on August 16 and 17. We're partnering with our friends at Florida Keys Brewing Company to host Invaders on Tap, a lionfish awareness celebration! Join us at the brewery in Islamorada from 4-9pm on August 17 for activities, vendors, food, live music, and fun for the whole family. On Sunday, August 18, all are invited to join us for lionfish scoring, awards ceremony, educational demonstrations, games, lionfish tastings, and more at the REEF Campus in Key Largo, FL. Check out all the info at www.REEF.org/derby.
Want to learn more about invasive lionfish or brush up on your collecting skills? We will be organizing free Lionfish Collecting & Handling Workshops before the derby. Stay tuned for more information and workshop dates. You can keep up with derby info and connect with other lionfish hunters by joining the REEF Invasive Lionfish Facebook Group.
This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, including Ocean Reef Conservation Association, Mesara Foundation, and Florida Keys Brewing Company, with advertising support from the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. Thank you to all sponsors for supporting the REEF Invasive Species Program!