REEF Invasive Lionfish Program

09/07/2026

"Us humans. We, of course, are the cause of this."

Mead Krówka, REEF Education Coordinator, on how lionfish ended up in the Atlantic.

They are native to the Indo-Pacific. The leading explanation is that aquarium fish were released into Atlantic waters, and with the right conditions and few predators to check them, the population expanded fast.

That is the uncomfortable part. The better part is what divers have done about it. REEF has run lionfish derbies every year since the invasion took hold, and together those events have removed nearly 40,000 lionfish from Atlantic and Caribbean reefs. Every one of those is a fish that is no longer eating juvenile native fish, and every derby also hands researchers a concentrated batch of specimens and data from one area.

Long-time divers describe it as the challenge of the hunt, and diving with purpose. Both are true, and the reef benefits either way.

Thank you to Destination Dive for the episode. Watch the full thing here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4O5mljpt-c

Learn about REEF's Invasive Species Program: www.REEF.org

09/04/2026

A new REEF-sanctioned lionfish derby is coming to the Lower Keys. 🦁🐟

Driftwood Ministries is hosting the inaugural Reef Revival Lionfish Derby, and registration is open now at $90 per team.

Oct. 22: Captain's Dinner, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 and 24: all-day fishing
Oct. 25: weigh-in and prizes, 2 to 5 p.m.

Driftwood Ministries, 260 Crane Blvd, Summerland Key, Florida 33042

Lionfish have few natural predators in the Atlantic, and derbies remain one of the most effective tools we have for reducing their numbers on local reefs. Every fish removed at an event like this is one that is not eating juvenile native fish. Derbies also give researchers a concentrated batch of specimens and data from a single area, which is hard to get any other way.

This derby is hosted and run by Driftwood Ministries, so all questions about registration and event details go to them.

Register your team: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/reef-revival-inaugural-lionfish-derby

07/13/2026

Great to see REEF featured in Food & W**e!

Lionfish may be beautiful, but they're a voracious invasive species that preys on the native fish our reefs depend on. To date, REEF lionfish derbies have removed over 38,000 lionfish — and that's more than just a big dent in an invasive population. Every lionfish removed is one less predator competing for food, which means even more natives can thrive on our reefs.

The best part? Lionfish are delicious. Ordering it at a Florida restaurant is one of the tastiest ways to help protect our marine ecosystems. 🍽️

Read more:

Florida fishermen and chefs are battling invasive lionfish by putting them on menus across the state. Here’s why you should eat the fish to save marine species and where to try lionfish dishes (and b**r).

05/27/2026

Calling all Lionfish hunters — our Fish out of Water 5K race starts in less than 2 weeks!

Between June 7–13 log your 3.1 miles however you like... Run, walk, bike, paddle, or swim. It's virtual, so your "race" can happen on your local trail, in the pool, or at your local dive site where you do your surveys.

Every registration helps fund REEF Oceans for All fund to support the next generation of ocean stewards!

Register: www.REEF.org/5k

04/28/2026

🏆 A FLORIDA KEYS RECORD 🏆

2,480 invasive lionfish removed. The biggest haul in 17 years of REEF derbies, and a new Florida Keys record!!!

The story this year wasn't just one dominant team, it was the depth of the field. Five Apex Predators teams each removed over 300 lionfish, something we've never seen before:

🥇 Badfish Slayers — 659 (a new REEF derby team record, beating Forever Young's 648 from 2023)
🥈 Aquamented — 395
🥉 Lionfish Exterminator Corp — 392

Other category winners:
📏 Largest fish: Lionfish Eliminators — 420 mm
🤏 Smallest fish: Badfish Slayers — 49 mm
🎯 Most fish, REEF Defenders: The Hunters — 121
🐠 Smallest live: Tequilla Little Time — 84 mm
✨ Golden Lionfish: Lionfish Exterminator Corp

Huge thanks to the Ocean Reef Conservation Association and the Monroe County Tourism Development Council for premier sponsorship 🙌 and to every team, vendor, volunteer, sponsor, artist, musician, chef and community member who made this happen.

Every lionfish off the reef is a win for native species 🪸, and this year was a record-breaking year! 🎉

04/25/2026

The REEF Lionfish Festival is TOMORROW! 🦁

Join us Sunday, April 26 for a day celebrating one of the ocean's most important conservation efforts — removing invasive lionfish from our reefs. Expect fresh lionfish tastings, live filleting demos, kids' activities, local vendors, and the results of our lionfish derby weigh-in.

Whether you're a diver, a seafood lover, or just reef-curious, there's something for everyone. Come learn why eating invasive species is one of the tastiest ways to protect native marine life. 🌊

📍 REEF Ocean Exploration Center, Key Largo
📅 Sunday, April 26 — starts at 12:00 PM (noon)
🎟️ Free & open to the public

See you there!

04/25/2026

1 DAY TO GO — TOMORROW is the Florida Keys Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival!

Our derby teams are on the water for their final day of lionfish hunting, and tomorrow we celebrate at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center in Key Largo (12–4 PM).

Join us for FREE: lionfish scoring and awards, fillet and dissection demos, tastings, live music, food trucks, local craft b**r, local artisan vendors, interactive games, and educational activities for the whole family.

This is conservation you can taste, see, and celebrate. See you there!

Festival details: www.reef.org/LionfishFestival

04/24/2026

2 DAYS TO GO until the Festival — and our derby teams are ON THE WATER!
Right now, teams are out on the reef removing invasive lionfish from sunrise to sunset. Every single lionfish collected helps protect native fish and coral reef ecosystems. The hunt continues tomorrow!

Then on Sunday we celebrate at the Conservation Science & Arts Festival at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center (12–4 PM). Free and open to all!

Festival details: www.reef.org/LionfishFestival

04/23/2026

🙏 THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors! 🙏

The 17th Annual REEF Lionfish Derby & Arts Festival wouldn't be possible without the generous support of the businesses, agencies, and partners who share our mission to protect Florida's reefs from invasive lionfish.

From funding and gear to prizes, food, and on-the-ground support — your commitment helps us remove thousands of lionfish from our waters, train the next generation of marine stewards, and make this event a true community celebration.
A huge thank you to:

🌿 Monroe County Tourism Development Council
🌿 Ocean Reef Conservation Association
🌿 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
🌿 NOAA & Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
🌿 Florida Department of Environmental Protection
🌿 Sharkey's Sharkbite Grill • ZooKeeper • Florida Keys Brewing Co. • Forever Young Outfitters • Conch Republic Divers • Waterlust • Key Weekly • Amoray Dive Resort • Divers Direct — and all of our amazing partners!
Your support continues to amaze us. 💙🐟

04/23/2026

TONIGHT, derby teams gather at Sharkey's Sharkbite Grill in Key Largo for the Kick-off Party & Captain's Meeting (5–7:30 PM). They'll go over rules, permitting, and safe collection practices before hitting the water tomorrow. The public is welcome to stop by and join in on the celebration!

Then on Sunday — the Festival at the REEF Ocean Exploration Center (12–4 PM). Free and fun for the whole family.

Derby info: www.reef.org/derby
Festival details: www.reef.org/LionfishFestival