The recently concluded ninth edition of the FWC Lionfish Challenge has exceeded all expectations, with participants removing a record-breaking 31,773 lionfish from Florida’s waters.
The 285 dedicated divers who took part in the challenge embarked on over 700 trips across the state, showcasing their commitment to eradicating this invasive species.
Winners of the 2024 Lionfish Challenge:
- Lionfish King (Recreational Division): Baye Beaford (Duval County) with 915 lionfish
- Commercial Champion (Commercial Division): Matt Myers (Duval County) with 1,785 pounds of lionfish
Read: Florida Gulf Coast Fishing Report – September 13, 2024
“We’re grateful for the Lionfish Challenge participants who worked hard to shatter the previous year’s record in removing these invasive species,” said FWC Commission Chairman Rodney Barreto. “Congratulations to our 2024 Lionfish King and Commercial Champion; your exceptional efforts are helping defend our precious marine ecosystems.”
“The Lionfish Challenge raises awareness of this invasive species and serves as a great way to get people outdoors and involved in conservation by removing invasive lionfish,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the 2024 participants for their collective effort in removing over 31,000 invasive lionfish from Florida’s waters. Your dedication is truly commendable.”
The success of the 2024 challenge has spurred a wave of new lionfish tournaments across Florida, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for protecting the state’s marine life.
As the excitement builds for the 2025 FWC Lionfish Challenge, participants are already gearing up to break even more records in the fight against invasive lionfish.
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