Announcement - Derby Cancelled due to Weather
Lionfish Public Culinary Tasting at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium still on as scheduled
Join us July 12-14th, 2019 for REEF's 6th Annual Sarasota Lionfish Derby
hosted by MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Late Registration:
Friday, July 12th from 5:30-6:30pm
MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
Team RegistrationDerby WaiversDerby Rules
Captain's Meeting:
Friday, June 12th from 6:30-7:30pm
MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
***Captain's Meeting is mandatory for the team captains, and all team members are encouraged to attend. The team captain must be one of the four participants in the derby, but does not need to be the captain of the boat. Safe collecting and handling techniques and derby rules and permits will be reviewed. IMPORTANT: This year we are allowing for remote attendance of the Captain's Meeting via Go To Meeting (details will be emailed out). To get approval to attend the captains meeting remotely a member of the team must call REEF Headquarters and speak with Alli Candelmo 305 852 0030***
Fishing:
Saturday July 13th, 2019 Sunrise: Teams may begin collecting lionfish
Sunday July 14th at MOTE Marine Lab & Aquarium
1:00 pm: All lionfish must be turned into the scoring station (MOTE)
1:00-3:00 pm: Scoring and public activities including lionfish tastings
Awards will immediately follow scoring (3:30 pm)
Lionfish scoring, fillet and dissection demonstrations, Lionfish tastings, games, raffle prizes and other activities will start at 12:00 pm and are open to public.
Registration cost: $120.00 per team (minimum 2 people per team, maximum 4 people)
TEAMS WITHOUT A BOAT
Florida Underwater Sports is offering a two-tank lionfish dive charter in the morning of Sunday, July 14th for divers that want to participate in the REEF Sarasota Derby. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals and teams who want to participate in the derby, but don't have a boat. The morning charter is a cost of $100 per diver for two dives, and 75% of the cost will be donated back to REEF to further support our Invasive Species Program! Space is limited so register soon! In order to sign up for the dive, call Florida Underwater Sports (941-870-4461). You must be registered on a team for the derby to join the dive.
Lionfish Tasting Event
As part of the derby MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is hosting a public tasting. Local chefs will prepare a delicious lionfish dish to be voted on through a people choice competition.
More details and to buy tickets for the tasting can be found HERE.
Teams Can Sell Their Fish
Teams with a FWC Saltwater Fishing License will have the option to sell a portion of their lionfish after the scoring at the derby. If you don't have your license apply for it today online.
You also need to complete Halperns Steak & Seafood Vendor form (form attached at bottom of this page). Halperns will be onsite to purchase your fish July 14th.
Special Thanks to our 2019 Derby Sponsors and Hosts!
