Dr. Kathleen Sealey
Location: Islands of the Bahamas
The long-term goal of this research is to better understand the population dynamics and ecology of Indo-Pacific lionfish, focusing on how this species utilized shallow and near-shore habitats throughout The Bahamas. The project will utilize the field opportunities of the Coastal Ecology project, as well as local partnerships to collect fishes throughout the archipelago for length, weight, aging and diet studies.
The project will focus on four components:
- Collection of lionfish from coastal survey locations around New Providence, with Roving Diver fish surveys (historical information has been collected at these same sites since 2005). Lionfish will be caught and dissected for age and growth studies.
- Maintain, upgrade and analyze the on-line sighting survey to understand trends in lionfish sightings throughout the archipelago.
- Collection of lionfish from fishermen, fishing tournaments, and volunteer groups for length, weight and otolith collection. Lionfish carcasses will be filleted and cleaning demonstrations held to promote consumption of this species.
- Collection of lionfish during coastal ecology surveys on other islands
Link 1