Over 300 Lionfish Speared in Second FoH Roundup

By MONIQUE VERNON Outreach Officer Fragments of Hope (FoH) fohoutreach@gmail.com

Just three months after the first lionfish roundup in Placencia, Fragments of Hope again funded and initiated a second round up that was held on Sept. 7. With a total of three boats and 15 enthusiastic divers, a whopping 343 lionfish eradicated from our waters. (Editor's Note: News on the third roundup coming in our December issue.)

Boat/Teams and lionfish count: Good Vibes/Captain Shaun Young: 136 Relentless/Captain Garrett Longsworth:161 Be Nice Too/Captain Louis Godfrey: 46

All filleted lionfish were donated to the primary schools on the Peninsula, and clipped fins were sold to Belizean jewelry designer and owner of Treasure Box, Khadija Assales. A big thank you goes out to all participants, especially Harry Neal for organizing and to Hatchet Caye/Wild Orchid for sponsorship of the event. Check out the link to a blog post on this event: epicoceanadventure.com/blog/2018/9/11/placencia-lionfish-hunt-a-success.

Fragments of Hope is happy to facilitate such initiatives and is working towards conservation of marine ecosystems at all angles. Please contact us if you can help towards more positive community activities. ▪

With a catch of 136 lionfish, team "Good Vibes" captained by Sean Young placed first.

Team "Relentless" captained by Garrett Longsworth placed second with 161 lionfish.

Team "Be Nice Too" captained by Louis Godfrey placed third with a catch of 46.