The lionfish of Roatan
The invasive fish we're all about eating on Roatan
ON ROATAN, OUR REEFS SUSTAIN US. These magical underwater structures provide habitat for everything from lobsters and conch to our tropical fish and all the corals that cover these incredible subsurface paradises. These are also the places that divers and snorkelers love to visit, and with tourism so vital to our island, it makes sense that we’re very protective when it comes to the health and safety of the reefs.
For instance, it’s illegal to spearfish in the Roatan Marine Park, which circles our island and runs 12 nautical miles out to sea. With so many divers coming to our home to experience the beauty of the Mesoamerican Reef, it’s important to us to protect the fish our visitors come to see and experience.
But there is one exception. The lionfish is an invasive fish from southeast Asia and Oceana, and it’s wreaking havoc on Caribbean waters. Here in Roatan, it’s the only fish divers and snorkelers can target with spearfishing equipment. But there’s a catch.
Spearfishing is only allowed for lionfish
In order to go after lionfish — which, when properly cleaned and cared for, are considered a delicacy — you must first get certified through the Roatan Marine Park. In order to get certified, you must take a one-day workshop at the RMP’s offices in Half Moon Bay on the West End. The fee is $50, and it comes with a certified sling-spear that you can use to target lionfish — and lionfish only.
Lionfish are the first invasive marine fish that have become established in the Atlantic. With no known predators, they are causing damage to coral reefs and native fish in the Caribbean by disrupting the natural ecosystem. This is the reason the Roatan Marine Park is making an exception for spearfishers — the lionfish is bad news for our islands reefs, which means it has the potential to be damaging to our tourism-based economy and our very special way of life here on Roatan and on the other Bay Islands.
Here on the East End, and just off the water’s edge at Oakridge, where Ocean Breeze Villa is located, snorkeling and diving starts right off the end of our private dock. A healthy reef is important to us, and to our guests, many who come to spend much of their time here under the water, exploring this magical place. We fully support the efforts of the Roatan Marine Park when it comes to lionfish control. If you come to Villa and are interested in taking the lionfish workshop, let us know. We can arrange for transportation both to and from the RMP offices, and, when you’re certified, you can stalk the waters of Roatan’s East End for the dastardly lionfish.
But, even if you’re not planning on chasing lionfish among the coral — or even if you’re not planning to get in the water at all — we invite you to the Villa, and the authentic Caribbean village where we call home.
