Re: NANFA-- Fw: Aquaticinfo: Fw: Lionfish Observed Off North Carolina

Robert Carillio (darterman_at_hotmail.com)
Sat, 12 Jan 2002 22:32:34 -0500

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Strange!! How did this fish get here???.. Was it released by a
hobbyist???... I quickly bruushed through the article.. it may have said,
and if so.. forgive me.. Rob C.

>From: "Nick Zarlinga" <njz_at_clevelandmetroparks.com>
>Reply-To: nanfa_at_aquaria.net
>To: "NANFA" <nanfa_at_aquaria.net>
>Subject: NANFA-- Fw: Aquaticinfo: Fw: Lionfish Observed Off North Carolina
>Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2002 17:49:34 -0500
>
>For those interested in marine fish....
>
>
>Nick Zarlinga
>
>
>"Your modesty will shame those with lesser knowledge.."
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park <dallasaq_at_airmail.net>
>To: <aquaticinfo_at_neaq.org>
>Sent: Friday, January 11, 2002 11:48 AM
>Subject: Aquaticinfo: Fw: Lionfish Observed Off North Carolina
>
>
> > Now this is very interesting!!
> >
> > Frank C. Elia
> > Supervisor
> > Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Constituent Releases <Constituent.Releases_at_noaa.gov>
> > To: dallasaq_at_airmail.net <dallasaq at airmail.net>
> > Date: Thursday, January 10, 2002 1:20 PM
> > Subject: Lionfish Observed Off North Carolina
> >
> >
> > >Constituent Contact: Robert Hansen, Robert.C.Hansen_at_noaa.gov
> > >
> > >LIONFISH OBSERVED OFF NORTH CAROLINA
> > >Divers and fishers alert: Non-native Lionfish are beautiful but have
> > >venomous spines
> > >
> > >Research efforts have begun by the Department of Commerce's National
> > >Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to determine the number
>and
> > >range of a venomous Pacific Ocean fish that was recently discovered in
>the
> > >waters off the southern Atlantic coast.
> > >
> > >Research divers from NOAA's Laboratory in Beaufort, N.C., have observed
>an
> > >Indo-Pacific species of lionfish near two shipwrecks off the coast of
>North
> > >Carolina. Local divers were the first to spot the species and have
> > >observed lionfish at additional sites. Officials are concerned because
>the
> > >lionfish is not a native species to the southeastern United States, and
>its
> > >venomous spines are dangerous to humans and other fish.
> > >
> > >One lionfish was collected by a recreational scuba diver, and
>scientists
>at
> > >the Beaufort Laboratory sent the specimen to a lionfish expert for
>positive
> > >identification. The species is Pterois volitans, a popular salt water
> > >aquarium fish. The number of observations and distance between
>sightings
> > >suggest that more lionfish may be found off the coast and that lionfish
>may
> > >have been able to survive the winter water temperatures.
> > >
> > >"Now that scientists have positively identified the species, we need to
> > >determine the distribution of lionfish along the southeastern United
> > >States," said Bill Hogarth, director of the National Marine Fisheries
> > >Service (NOAA Fisheries).
> > >
> > >"We are also concerned that scuba divers and fishers may encounter this
> > >species in North Carolina or elsewhere along the southeast coast, and
>we
> > >want to get the word out about their venomous spines," said Margaret
> > >Davidson, director of NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOAA Ocean
>Service).
> > >The dorsal, anal and pelvic spines of the lionfish are venomous.
> > >
> > >NOAA Fisheries and NOAA Ocean Service are developing and implementing a
> > >plan for the research that is needed in order to define the
>distribution
>of
> > >lionfish along the southeastern coast of the United States and to
>determine
> > >if they are reproducing.
> > >
> > >Beaufort Laboratory scientists will conduct the research utilizing
>several
> > >types of studies to determine the extent, range, and population of fish
> > >species. Research will focus on age and growth of the species along
>with
> > >their food habits. Field studies are conducted to document changes in
> > >species composition and abundance. Divers will also be utilized as
> > >necessary to assess current fish communities as part of their regular
> > >surveys. Once this information is gathered, officials will be able to
> > >ascertain what steps, if any, may be necessary to halt the spread of
>this
> > >species.
> > >
> > >Scuba divers can help with the NOAA research effort by reporting
>lionfish
> > >sightings to Dr. Donald Hoss, Director, NOAA Beaufort Laboratory; 101
> > >Pivers Island Rd. Beaufort, NC 28516-9722; phone: (252) 728-8746; fax:
> > >(252) 728-8784; email: don.hoss_at_noaa.gov. Please be prepared to
>provide
> > >coordinates of where the lionfish was found and at what depth. If
>possible,
> > >a photograph should accompany the above information.
> > >
> > >A fact sheet containing a photo of a lionfish is available on the
>Internet
> > >at: http://shrimp.bea.nmfs.gov/research/lionfish_factsheet.pdf.
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >- 30 -
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > You are receiving this message because you are a subscriber to the
>mailing
> > list <aquaticinfo_at_neaq.org>
> >
> > To unsubscribe or make other administrative changes email
> > <bnelson_at_neaq.org>
>
>
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/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
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/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org
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