Lionfish removals in Larnaca

On the 20th of June 2021, the “Marine and Environmental Research (MER) Lab”, the “ENALIA PHYSIS – Environmental Research Centre” and the “University of Plymouth” implemented two lionfish removals in Larnaca with the help of the “Removal Action Teams (RATs)” of the “RELIONMED-Life” project. The 19 divers at the Zenobia shipwreck were able to catch 27 lionfish. Three divers who implemented a removal in Petounta were able to remove a total of 60 lionfish from a natural reef. Most of the fish that were removed were given to a restaurant that will be collaborating with the project to introduce lionfish dishes in its menu and promote lionfish consumption to help the marine environment of the area. The lionfish that were caught were of different sizes (both small and very big ones). We thank all the participants for supporting the project’s actions and helping to control the lionfish populations in the seas of Cyprus. We also thank the A.A.K. Larnaca Napa Sea Cruises and the crew of the Queen Zenobia vessel for supporting the removal event in Zenobia.