The Worst Marine Invasion You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

by Stacy Frank 2-20-26

Leave your campsite better than you found it—that’s the motto of my friend Dr. Steve Gittings, former Chief Scientist for NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, and it describes why I’m obsessed with ocean conservation work. In 2012 my business partner, renowned screenwriter James V Hart, my brother, distinguished underwater photographer Courtney Platt and I started the 501C3 non-profit Lionfish University (https://lionfishuniversity.org).  Our mission is education, awareness and research relating to invasive lionfish that are devastating ocean reefs far and wide (here is an example of a short film we produced about the invasion https://youtu.be/BqKWPP-8PDQ?si=pPH0Q4DNqRtZXQVq  License to Cull, the Hunt). Visit our website or YouTube channel for more films. Our goal is to leave the ocean better than we found it.

LFU founders Jim Hart, Stacy Platt Frank and Courtney Platt The lionfish invasion most likely started when aquarium enthusiasts dumped their lionfish, which are native to the Indo-Pacific, into the Atlantic Ocean. The first invasive lionfish was sighted off the coast of Dania Beach, Florida in 1985. These fish produce 20,000-30,000 eggs every 3-4 days per spawning event, and nothing eats the eggs or the fish, although there is evidence that some native predators are beginning to adapt. Lionfish are the buffet busters of the reef with voracious appetites, and stomachs that can expand 30 times normal size as they vacuum up prey. The big problem is they eat anything and can reduce native fish populations by up to 90% in a short time.

These fish have now invaded off the coast of the eastern United States, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean south past Brazil. They have also invaded
through the Suez Canal more recently into the Mediterranean where they are reproducing unchecked. The maps below show the extent of the Western Atlantic and the Mediterranean invasions.

Western Atlantic Invasion Mediterranean Invasion

As reefs lose algae eaters like parrot fish that keep corals clean, coral can die and reefs can collapse. Our oceans are essential for human survival and global health, providing approximately half of earth’s oxygen, food for 3.5 billion people, millions of jobs in the fishing and tourism industries and many ingredients for medicines and other products.

So, what can be done? Fortunately, lionfish taste great. They have a light, flaky, buttery taste and can be prepared just like any other white fish once the venomous spines have been removed. So, even if you are not a diver who culls out invasive lionfish with a spear, you can still eat them. I have even seen lionfish on the menu in Las Vegas, but you are more likely to find it in coastal communities in the US or on Caribbean Islands.

If you are lucky enough to be a scuba diver, you can take a course to learn how to hunt and spear them: they do not swim in schools so they cannot be netted. Many coastal US communities now organize lionfish derbies to remove the pesky beasts en masse. The largest derby in the world is the Emerald Coast Open in Destin, Florida providing large cash prizes up to $10,000 and other types of scuba gear prizes. Over 20,000 invasive lionfish were removed during the derby in 2025. These events are educational and lots of fun, with festival booths packed with information, lionfish art and beautiful jewelry made from lionfish fins.

One of the signature benefits of this massive invasion is what we call The Silver Lining. Fighting this invasion has brought together people from all types of backgrounds, and political and social differences are left behind. Camaraderie and working toward a healthier ocean become the focus. I have met so many wonderful people I never would have otherwise had the opportunity to meet. The invasion has also created jobs for entrepreneurs who sell the fish, make jewelry, create cookbooks and artwork.

If you would like additional information, you can contact us at LionfishU@gmail.com. If you would like to help by donating to Lionfish University (donations are tax deductible), you can at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5CHY7TQWGJ2JG.