Eat this fish and save the seas

Lionfish are invasive and killing our reefs

My friends, 

Have you ever had lionfish? Most of you probably will say no, but I want you to promise me this: anytime you see it on a menu you will order it! While a lionfish looks scary, with all its sharp and venomous spikes, it is a very different story when you eat it: it’s a mild, flaky white fish that tastes a little like a mahi mahi, and it is absolutely delicious!

But there’s another reason you have to eat this fish, one that’s very important to the health of the ocean…the lionfish is an invasive species that poses a huge threat to biodiversity and marine ecosystems, particularly the fragile coral reef marine life in the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a big problem for our ocean to have these fish prowling around; marine biologists tell me that a single lionfish can reduce young reef populations by up to 90 percent in just five weeks. It’s that bad. 

So how can we help to reduce their population? One of the easiest ways is to understand how delicious this fish is and create demand for it; because the more people (like you!) who order it, the more divers will go out and hunt the fish. And let me tell you, it’s not an easy catch. They can’t be caught on a hook and line, instead they are speared, which is a lot of work and requires skilled divers because they’re covered in eighteen venomous spines, which leave a painful sting!

Luckily you don’t need to go out and catch the fish yourselves my friends, you just need to buy it, cook it, and eat it!  When I am in The Bahamas (like this week!) diving for them we bring them on the boat and do a ceviche seasoned simply with salt water from the ocean, and some lime. Amazing!

But if you’re not on a boat, I have another recipe for you: fried lionfish with tartar sauce and herb oil. If you can’t find lionfish at your market, you can use sea bream, dorade, or red snapper (and there’s no venom to worry about!) .

And anytime you’re in the Caribbean and you see lionfish on the menu…make sure to order it!!

Fried Lionfish

Serves 4