Dominica 🇩🇲
“que lo que” (what’s up?)
The nature island of the Caribbean!
Situated in the lesser Antilles between Guadeloupe and Martinique, Dominica (pronounced Domineeka) has very high mountains with some over 4700 feet tall that early sailors in the region could spot from miles away.
The main languages here are English, Creole and some French. Eco tourism is the main attraction in Dominica these days. Whale watching, hiking mountain trials, it’s amazing wildlife, dozens of hot springs including the world’s largest, and of course it’s fantastic diving and snorkeling are good reasons to visit this lush green island! Dominica is sometimes referred to as the Caribbean’s last hidden gem. The locals are very proud of their island and it shows. Despite the damage from hurricane Maria in 2017, Dominica is back in business and well worth the trip!
It is a commonwealth country with a population of 75,000 or so and the capital city is Roseau about 30 minutes from the international airport. Getting to Dominica isn’t easy and you may have to get there from neighboring Islands but that might be what makes it so unique and unspoiled!
Since lionfish first showed up in Dominica nearly a decade ago the Fisheries Division along with the help of the Dominica Watersports Association and Reef.Org have done a great job of educating locals about the lionfish problem and have helped to create a market for them within the island’s restaurant industry. Fishers now target lionfish and along with sport divers, they are all doing a good job of keeping the reefs relatively clear!
Visitors are not allowed to spearfish in Dominica unless they are accompanied by a local dive master. There are several good dive operations and dive shops to choose from with many amazing dive sites to explore during your stay. Here are a few to get you started.
JC Ocean Adventures in the Portsmouth area. 1767 449 6957
www.jcoceanadventures.com
Island Dive Operations (also Portsmouth) 1767 277 5672
islanddiveoperations@gmail.com
Nature Island Dive in Soufriere
1767 245 6505 (they also sell lionfish jewelry!)
natureislanddive@gmail.com
Dive Dominica (5 minute drive south of Roseau town) 1767 235 2188
dive@divedominica.com
Secret Bay Hotel and Resort (a small high-end resort just south of Portsmouth). “Secret Bay offers lionfish culling as an experience to their guests. All gear is provided, and our guides provide the experience”
info@secretbay.dm
1767 445 4444
( there are several others that may be exactly what you are looking for, so I’d check online and ask around a bit once you’ve arrived )
Local Authority is the Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
fisheriesdivision@dominica.gov.dm
1767 266 3271
So, if you do visit Dominica and get a chance to do some lionfish hunting, please share your experiences with us.
We welcome any comments, photos and lionfish related news from our friends!
Proudly supporting the organization Lionfish University with periodic lionfish rules and regulations reports throughout the invaded areas.
Walt Deelman, Lionator Pole Spears