3 minute read
September Lionfish Roundup!
By MONIQUE VERNON Outreach Officer Fragments of Hope (FoH) fohoutreach@gmail.com
Men clean the lionfish after the Lobsterfest Round Up event in June. Researcher 2 captained by Matthew "Tamba" Nicholas caught five lionfish weighing 2.5 pounds. Courageous 2 captained by Alex Small caught 31 lionfish weighing 17 pounds and Ambitious captained by Shaun Young speared 54 lionfish weighing a total of 29 pounds. Can you top that? Join the September Round Up!
SARAH ALY
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Fragments of Hope held its first Lionfish Roundup here in Placencia on June 22, 2018, where participating boats ventured out to preplanned destinations in a cooperative hunt to eradicate the invasive species.
After a full day at sea, each boat returned to have their catch counted and weighed. A total of 90 lionfish were caught.
A successful start to what we hope will become regularly scheduled culling events. If you are thinking to yourself, "That seems like a small amount of lionfish," we think so, too! We have some thoughts on why that catch was low, but we would love to hear yours! Message us
on our Fragments of Hope facebook page with your theories, or call or text Harry Neal at 635-9262, especially if you want to join us in the next planned Round Up on Friday, September 7, 2018.
Many thanks to Hatchet Caye/Wild Orchid, the Placencia Village Council, Placencia Tour Guide Association and Southern Environmental Association, for providing support. We also extend our gratitude to all on-board volunteers (captains, divers), lionfish cleaners and community members for their participation. We are thrilled to announce that all our same partners and sponsors are committed to support the next round up in September.
Consider joining us!
Fragments of Hope continues to work with coastal community members to implement and support seascape protection and community outreach. If you love the work we do and would like to donate, please visit our website at fragmentsofhope.org.▪
Monique Vernon is a new member of the FoH team. A native of Placencia Village, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management from the University of Belize (2016). She carries extensive experience with youth and schools and worked with FoH in 2017 implementing the Sandwatch program. FoH is dedicated to employing local coastal community members.Reach Monique Vernon at fohoutreach@gmail.com.
