Cuba organizes sport fishing tournament to control lionfish

SANCTI SPIRITUS, Cuba, Apr 2 (acn) As part of efforts to control the lionfish in the south coast of the province of Sancti Spiritus, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA by its Spanish acronym) in the territory summons a Sport Fishing Tournament for its capture on April 11 and 12.

Yessica Portal, responsible for managing this invasive exotic species in the region and coordinator of the event, told ACN that the most effective and quickest way to eradicate this animal is through hunting by man; hence the competitive event is promoted to reduce its proliferation.

This time, those able to catch as many specimens or the larger size fish will be recognized, she stated.

The specialist added that the fishermen and coastal communities have received training on how to manage the lionfish, because despite not being mortal, has venom glands in dorsal, anal and pelvic spines, causing nausea and respiratory problems.

Encouraging its fishing and consumption facilitates its extermination in the environment, since it constitutes a voracious predatory species, in half an hour it feeds up to 20 fish specimens, and alters the ecological balance of marine ecosystems, Portal noted.

She added that simultaneously they will undertake actions to clean La Boca Beach, one of the main centers of recreation for the inhabitants of the province, in order to eliminate solid waste in its dune, which are deposited irresponsibly by vacationers and residents.

Developing actions towards an environmental culture that ensures preservation and care of the environment is a priority of CITMA, so the tournament is a way to achieve social participation in the sanitation of coastlines and the elimination of indiscipline, she said.